Nancy Pare

Nancy M. Pare, originally from Virginia MN and Austin MN, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Grand Forks, ND on Monday, February 10, 2020 at the age of 85, surrounded by her family. 

She was born on April 8, 1934, the youngest child of Stuart and Myrtle (Rundgren) Murray in Virginia, MN.  She was a class of 1951 graduate of Virginia High School and received her BS degree in Elementary Education from Bemidji State University in 1955.  She taught in Mt Iron, MN (1956-57), in Minneapolis, MN (1957-60), and in Austin, MN where she was everyone’s favorite kindergarten teacher at Woodson School (1968-1980) and Shaw School (1980 to her retirement in 1990).

Nancy married the love of her life, John W. Pare, on July 27, 1957.  Nancy is survived by her daughters Michelle (Rick) LaBrecque of Grand Forks, ND and Jonie (Brad) Nelson of Omaha, NE, four grandchildren Seth LaBrecque (Grand Forks), and Ashleigh, Chris and David Nelson (Omaha), many nieces, nephews and friends.  She loved her family, cheering for Seth at his hockey/soccer games, spending time at Lake 14 and Sand Lake, and hosting her annual July 4^th breakfast.

She was preceded in death by her husband John, siblings Betty “Nona” Cuppoletti, Patsy Hautamaki Engman, Stuart “Tim” Murray, her parents, and one sister/two brother-in-laws.

A memorial reception will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks, ND from 5 to 7 pm.  Her memorial service will be held on Friday, May 8, 2020 at Sand Lake Chapel in Britt, MN followed by a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia, MN.

In lieu of flowers, a backpack and/or school supplies are preferred as these will be donated to kindergarten children in need next fall, in Nancy’s memory.  

Nancy’s family would like to thank everyone for your support, love, thoughts and prayers.