Nancy Cottrell Kruger, 71, died peacefully in her sleep at Spirit Mountain Hospice House after a yearlong battle with esophageal cancer. Nancy was born on April 29, 1953, to Samuel Mads and Shirley Cottrell in Powell. One of Nancy’s first memories as a child was playing in nearby cemetery in Laramie where Mads was enrolled in college. She would use the headstones as her playground and bring home souvenirs like little marble angels.
As Nancy grew, so did her family. She loved her younger siblings, Dale, Carrie, Connie and Carl. She loved teaching them the important things in life, like how to have fun and not get caught. Nancy graduated from Meeteetse High School in 1971, taking with her some lifelong friends. After moving to Salt Lake City, Nancy joined the U.S. Navy Reserves. She had a desire to serve her country, and the classy uniform was a huge plus too.
Nancy assumed she would never permanently return to Meeteetse, but her plans changed when she ran into a young Meeteetse man named Steven Kruger. Nancy and Steve decided to settle down and get married in 1982. They moved back to Meeteetse where they raised their three children: Sam, Lee and Stephanie. Nancy has had a hand in raising many children in her life. She started Aunt Nancy’s Daycare in Cody where she cared for other people’s children for over 20 years. She is survived by her dad, Samuel Mads Cottrell, siblings and in-laws: Carrie (Des) Bennion, Connie (John) Moore, (Irena Cottrell), Carl (Candace) Cottrell and (Sharon Kruger), children Sam (Laura) Lee, Stephanie (Eric) Allred, and grandchildren: Tyler, Carter, Sarah, Parker, Kylie, Chloe and Isaac.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.