Nancy A. Stanina

Nancy Ann (Koppes) Stanina

Oct. 7, 1958             July 21, 2023

Nancy Ann (Koppes) Stanina, 64, of Nashwauk, Minnesota passed away on July 21, 2023, in Madelia, Minnesota.

Nancy was born to Raymond and Delores (Frank) Koppes on October 7,1958. The third of four children, Nancy, grew up near Buck Lake. On June 18th, 1977, she married her high school sweetheart, Paul Stanina, at St. Cecelia’s in Nashwauk, MN. Nancy and Paul made their home north of Nashwauk at the Old Mill, before moving to the dream home they designed and built together on Buck Lake.

Nancy was a draftsman designer, then she drove pulp truck for many years. She was the first woman to haul pulp into many areas in northern Minnesota; she began working with Blandin Paper Company for many years, working mostly in the yard. Nancy was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2004 where she underwent chemo and radiation. She then became a poster child (literally) for breast cancer when she was on billboard in Hibbing, MN. After she began working for Minnesota Power in Cohasset, she transferred to the Grand Rapids location, working closely with Blandin again. In May of 2019, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She retired from Minnesota Power with her Class A Chiefs Boiler License.

In her free time, Nancy enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping, sewing, traveling, and fussing over her grandlings.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents Raymond and Delores Koppes, her brother Duane (Dewey) Koppes, and her sister Diane Tardy.

Nancy is survived by her husband Paul Stanina, children Robert (Tabbatha) Stanina, Shane Stanina, and Franki Stanina. Grandchildren Dominik, Temperance, Devon, Joslynn, and Grace. Brother Larry (Jackie) Koppes.

Funeral services for Nancy will be 12:00 pm, Saturday August 5, 2023 at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Nashwauk, MN.  Richard Johnston will officiate.  Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the noon service at the church on Saturday.  With a luncheon to follow after the service downstairs of the church. 

Due to recent family events, the family has very few pictures, and ask if you have an extra copy of a picture of Nancy please bring to the service to share.