Nancy Ann Adams

Nancy Ann Adams, age 89, of Sabula, IA, passed away at The Alverno, in Clinton, IA, on March 19, 2025. A graveside funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 22 at Evergreen Cemetery, in Sabula. A celebration of life will follow at Manny’s, in Savanna, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Nancy was born March 19, 1936, in Sabula, the daughter of Harry and Marie (Schroeder) Ohlsen. She graduated from Sabula High School with the class of 1955. On September 21, 1956, Nancy married Ernest “Ern” Adams, in Sabula.

“Nance” as Ern called her was a Sabula girl through and through. She lived in her Sabula home for 65 years and kept a keen eye on all the town’s happenings. She worked for her dad’s store, Ohlsen Cash Store, for more than 40 years, and she was the type who never forgot a friendly face. Nance loved to cruise around Sabula, admiring the beauty of the river, and waving at her fellow community members. These daily cruises earned her the nickname, “blonde bomber”, from her husband, who always called her “Blondie”.

In their younger years, she and Ern loved to go dancing, and they regularly played golf with each other, and friends. They also loved fishing, hopping on the boat any chance they had. When they were blessed with grandchildren, and later, great- grandchildren, Nance turned most of her loving attention to them. Ern passed in 2004, but Nance lovingly leaned on her strong family life, and beloved community for the rest of her days.

Nancy will be dearly missed by her daughter, Paula (Dale) Johnson, of Sabula; daughter-in-law, Roxanne Adams, of Fulton, IL; grandchildren, Jaime (Paul) Bentley, Adam (Marsha) Johnson, Ashley (Mark) Heun, and Abigail (Justin) Eissens; great-grandchildren, Maia, Colin, Ada, Lacey, Grant, Callie, Nora, and Wayde; and brother-in-law, Bill Adams. Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Marie; son, Curtis Adams; and husband, Ern.