Nancy Louise Palmer Edelmon, 85, of Friona, Texas, passed away on October 20, 2021.  Viewing will be held from 9:00AM to 8:00 PM with family visitation beginning at 6:00 PM Friday, October 29, 2021 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of HANSARD FAMILY with Celebration of Life Services scheduled for 11:00 AM Saturday, October 30, 2021 at the Union Congregational Church of Friona, Jeff Procter, minister of the Sixth Street Church of Christ, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Friona Cemetery by HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona, Texas.

Nancy was born on January 25, 1936 in Houston, Texas to Arthur B. (Swampy) and Martha Frances Miller Palmer.  She spent her childhood years in Houston and in Lafayette, Lousiana, ultimately graduating from San Jacinto High School in Houston.  She attended Texas Christian University, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Elementary Education.

Following college graduation, she ventured with friends to Hawaii, where she met a young 2nd Lieutenant in the US Navy.  James Von Edelmon won her heart, marrying her on November 23, 1957.  They cherished and took care of one another for almost 60 years, parted only by his death on August 12, 2017.

Nancy and Von lived in Dallas, Texas, for the first seven years of their marriage.  Four children were born, Lisa, Mark, Karen and Brian.  Von was a mechanical engineer at Texas Instruments, but one day came home and informed Nancy, a city girl, that he wanted to return to the farm where he grew up, in Friona, Texas.  The family of six moved in 1966.  As was her usual, Nancy involved herself in the Friona community from the time of their move, and Friona is better for it.

After her own children were in school, she began teaching first grade at the Friona Primary School.  She finally graduated to second grade by the time she retired after many years of service and dedication to the students of Friona.  Nancy was always excited to see former students acknowledge her as one of their first teachers.  She was proud of their accomplishments and looked forward to seeing all of them.

Nancy had no greater love than for her family, including those who came before her.  Much of her retirement time was spent in search of her family heritage.  She never tired of telling stories from her past and sharing what she had learned of her ancestry.  Her house is filled with memories of those family members.  She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren dearly, encouraging all of them in their activities and dreams.  Nancy enthusiastically attended many ballet and piano recitals, spelling bees, orchestra concerts, sporting events and graduations and was their greatest cheerleader on the side-lines.  Most recently, her grandchildren could count on her catching up with them on all of their latest activities and adventures.

Nancy was honored by the Friona community as Teacher of the Year in 1982 and Woman of the Year in 1998.  She has been an active member of the Union Congregational Church.  She was a dear friend to many and an encourager to all who crossed her path.  Though she came to Friona somewhat less than enthusiastically, she came quickly to love what has been her home for 65 years.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Von Edelmon, her sister, Diane Andrews, and her grandson, Cory Reed Stewart.

Nancy is survived by her children, Lisa Veggeberg and husband Neil of Amarillo, Mark Edelmon of Austin, Karen Burns and husband John of Enumclaw, Washington, and Brian Edelmon and wife Gretchen of Austin; her grandchildren Eric, Amy and Kevin Veggeberg, Sierra and Mariah Edelmon, Travis Stewart and Kendrick Burns, and Graham and Meredith Edelmon;  her great-grandchildren, Jackson and Logan Stewart, and Jane and Dalia Veggeberg; and her niece, Suzanne Andrews.

Nancy's family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Friona community and the many of Nancy's friends who supported her in her most fervent wish to be at home.  She loved Friona, but now she is dancing with Daddy.

The Edelmon family continues to support Cal Farley's Boys Ranch Foundation, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79174-0001.