Nancy Kay Wylie

Nancy Kay (Bartusek) Wylie, age 83, of Urbandale, passed away in her sleep on February 2, 2025, following a nearly 20-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

A memorial service will be held at Collegiate United Methodist Church in Ames, Iowa, on Thursday, February 13, at 1:00 pm. A time of fellowship will follow at the church. Memorials may be directed to the church. Nancy donated her body to Des Moines University.

Nancy was born November 26, 1941, in Mason City, Iowa, to Reuben and Evelyn (Schwartz) Bartusek. Nancy grew up on farms in north-central Iowa and attended schools in Plymouth, Manly, Rock Falls, and Grafton. Nancy graduated from Grafton High School in 1959, where she was the marching band drum major and served as the student manager of the girls basketball team, which enjoyed a trip to the state tournament in Des Moines.

Nancy moved to the YWCA in Mason City, where she worked on a computer doing billing for a dairy. It was during this time that she met George Wylie, who was working at KGLO Radio-TV. One of her roommates, Jean Pedersen (Klemp), worked at KGLO and introduced them.

Nancy and George were married April 29, 1962. While living in Mason City, their first child, Pamela Sue, was born.

In 1967, Nancy and George moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where George had been hired at KRNT Radio-TV (now KCCI). A few years after their move to Des Moines, their second child, Eric Sean, was born.

Nancy was a homemaker for many years supporting her family and volunteering at the kids’ schools on the east side of Des Moines. When both kids were in school full-time, Nancy worked in the office at the Richmond-Gordman department store, and later at KVI Insurance (Kirke-Van Orsdel, Inc.) as a claims processor.

In 1984, the family moved to Ames, Iowa, where George had been hired at WOI-TV. In Ames, Nancy volunteered at Collegiate United Methodist Church managing the library, and was later hired for an open position in the church office. It was here that she spent 18 and a half years (1987-2006) as the Secretary/Receptionist.

She was proud to say that every job she ever had involved using a computer.

Over the years Nancy enjoyed reading, making clothing for all members of her family, and gardening. In retirement, Nancy and George took road trips to the Grand Canyon and other National Parks in the Southwest, and another to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from Washington State into California.

Following George’s sudden death in October 2010, Nancy moved to Urbandale to be close to her daughter’s family, first living at Senior Suites of Urbandale, and as of a few years ago, at Urbandale Health Care Center.

Throughout her life, her faith and church work were important to Nancy. She was active in the United Methodist Church, both at Sheridan Park United Methodist Church in Des Moines, and at Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation in Ames. She was a leader in the United Methodist Women organization, serving as an officer on local, district, and state levels, and once presented at a national conference in Philadelphia. Nancy taught the Disciple Bible Study series (3 hours per week for 9 years) and supported many church activities, serving on committees and assisting with events like Vacation Bible School.

Nancy was a loving and caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, cousin, neighbor, and friend.
Her disciplined approach to life and straight-forward attitude to solving issues were key to her character, and became useful to her when she was near retirement and diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This disease slowly robbed her of the ability to walk and progressed over time until, in the last year of her life, she could no longer use her arms and hands. But throughout her health journey, her attitude was to learn ways to overcome her limitations and do whatever she could for herself. While at her assisted living apartment, she still managed her own finances, medications, and appointments.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George R. Wylie, her parents-in-law, George H. and Virginia Wylie, and dear aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Pam (Jeff) Spangler of Urbandale, Iowa; her son, Eric (Krista) Wylie of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; grandchildren Nicholas Spangler, Christopher Spangler, Nathan Wylie, and Jordan Wylie; brother, Dean (Becky) Bartusek of Hanlontown, Iowa; sister Shirley (Brian) Diercks of Osceola, Iowa; brother-in-law, Doug (Sylvia) Wylie of Parkville, MO; brother-in-law, Bill Wylie of St. Louis Park, MN; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

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