Nancy J. Fee

Nancy J. Fee, 66, of Onalaska, died on June 15, 2020, after fighting with all she had to try and beat cancer a second time, after surviving breast cancer more than 30 years ago. She was born in La Crosse on March 2, 1954, to Frank E. and Victoria (Weiland) Abnet. Nancy graduated from Onalaska High School, class of 1972. On September 8, 1973, she married Louis (Bud) Fee.

Nancy worked in banking, had in-home daycare for friends who became family, worked at St. Patrick’s Catholic School, and then entered the insurance business before starting 3PAdministrators with two business partners in 2007. They sold their successful business in 2017. Nancy’s work was something she loved, and taking care of her clients and their employees was a true passion. She retired in January 2020.

Nancy also had a passion for volunteering. She enjoyed her many years of work with the Hunger Task Force in La Crosse, where she even served as President. She was a faithful member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Onalaska, serving on the Finance Council, and as a lay minister and sacristan. Her faith was extremely important to her, and was something she instilled in her family and carried with her through her final breath.

Nancy loved to golf and was so proud to have her first and only hole-in-one at Coulee Golf Bowl in 2011. You could find her on the golf course, even in the sweltering heat, every Friday night and Sunday afternoon, and last year on Tuesdays for ladies club golf, as well as every other chance she could get! She also experienced a dream come true when she was able to attend the Masters tournament at Augusta in 2017.

Above all else in this world, Nancy loved her family. She and Bud were married 46 years and they enjoyed every day, and loved to travel – from vacations and cruises to day trips. They loved watching the Brewers, Badgers, Packers and PGA golf! She was so excited to take the trip of a lifetime with Bud last October/November, which was a 2 week European cruise. The whole family traveled to Florida three times and to Arizona together, and enjoyed several trips to Brewer games, Wisconsin Dells and more! Nancy’s four granddaughters were the light of her life. She loved caring for them, playing with them and spending time with them every chance she could! She was the best wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt and friend.

Nancy held her family and friends close. Friends were family. She loved her card club friends of 30+ years, her Wharf friends, her church family, her high school classmates, and everyone who was part of her life. She loved big.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Bud; two children, Heather M. Ladwig (Joe Steinhoff) of Sparta and Ryan L. (Leslie) Fee of Germantown, WI; granddaughters Ava and Kinsey Ladwig, and Layla and Zoey Fee; brother Frank J. (Janet) Abnet of Onalaska; in-laws, aunts, uncles and many nieces and nephews who were all very special to her.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Victoria Abnet, and by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Beverly Fee.

Because we know you loved Nancy as we did, we do wish to celebrate her life with you. That said, we do understand if you are not comfortable attending during these times; know that we will feel your love and prayers. For those of you who wish to join us, we will hold a public visitation at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska, on Thursday from 4-7pm. We encourage you to wear a mask to help protect everyone in attendance yet allow us to still be able to celebrate Nancy’s life together. We appreciate your love, thoughts and prayers, but will not be giving hugs at this service. We would welcome the elderly and high-risk friends to come to the visitation during the first hour, if you are not high risk, we ask you refrain from coming the first hour. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday with burial following in the Onalaska City Cemetery. There will be not be a visitation prior to the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse or to St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Onalaska.

We would like to thank the cancer care team and hospice team at Gundersen Health System who took such great care of Nancy during her illness.

Our hearts are broken, but we have peace knowing that she is no longer in pain and has now been welcomed in to the Kingdom of Heaven forever.