Nancy Jo Foutch

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    Nancy Jo (Corriell) Foutch was born on September 20, 1940, in Muscatine, Iowa to Lester and Marcella (Sprole) Corriell, and grew up on the family farm near Atalissa, Iowa. Nancy attended country school from kindergarten through 8th grade, then attended and graduated from West Liberty High School where she was active in music and was a member of the National Honor Society. Nancy went on to attend Iowa State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota Sorority. Later, Nancy attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska where she earned certification to teach K-12 in Iowa. On December 2, 1961, Nancy married Vern William Foutch and they moved to their farm east of Woodbine where they lived and worked for over 30 years before building their dream house in Woodbine to retire.

     Nancy lived a life marked by devotion to family, music, education, and community. She began piano lessons at the age of five, started playing piano in church at 8, and grew into an accomplished pianist whose gifts would bless countless people for over 70 years. She accompanied and helped coach hundreds of vocal and band students for middle school and high school competitions. She accompanied “The Noteables” and church choirs for many years and played piano for countless weddings, funerals, and other events. Whether in church, on stage, in a classroom, or at a family gathering, Nancy’s piano playing brought beauty, comfort, and joy.

     Nancy started and operated a pre-school in Woodbine with Mary Poe, creating a place for early learning and care for young children. Nancy then went on to work as a substitute teacher at Woodbine’s schools for more than 40 years. Between her teaching and work with the music program, Nancy was a fixture at the school daily throughout her 3 sons’ educations, and for years thereafter. She served on the Woodbine Library Board, participated in United Methodist Women, was a lifelong member of P.E.O., and served as president of the State of Iowa Chapter of the P.E.O. She was a life-member of the Iowa State Alumni Association and loved all things Iowa State! Nancy served as Mrs. Santa Claus for Woodbine holiday events for over 10 years. She was involved in 4H in her own youth and through her son’s school years and found pleasure and purpose in quilting, cooking, and sewing. She was a talented seamstress, making many of her own clothes. She was known for baking incredible “elephant ears”. She also had a special fondness for dogs, especially her three St. Bernards.

     Like her parents, Nancy also loved to travel. She and Vern travelled all over the United States, including trips to see her boys in several States, and other family in Alaska. She visited 19 different countries with Vern, and went on to visit Egypt and China on her own. She also co-piloted with Vern in their private plane, and took flight instruction up through (but not including!!) the final solo flight.

     Nancy will be remembered not only for what she did, but for the spirit with which she did it. She brought accomplishment without pretense, dedication without fanfare, and warmth to the many circles of life she touched.

     Nancy died on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Arbor Springs of West Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 85 years, 11 months, and 20 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vern Foutch; grandson, Maxwell Foutch; and sister, Jane Corriell. She is survived by her sons, Scott Foutch of Weston, Missouri, Shawn Foutch and his wife Meg of Johnston, Iowa and their children Jacob Foutch, Abigail (Marcus) Welk, and Elizabeth (Cole) Tramp, and Steven Foutch and his wife Mary Jane of Kansas City, Missouri and their children Jackson Foutch and Honor (Austin) Kolvek; and her brother, Wayne Corriell and his wife Patricia of Atalissa and their children Dan and Suzanne; and many other relatives and friends.