Nancy Ehrle

Nancy D. Ehrle, longtime Kalamazoo resident, died on November 29 in Denver Colorado after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was 87. Nancy was born January 4, 1935 in Clifton, New Jersey. After Graduating from Ridgewood (NJ) High School in 1952, she attended Douglass College in New Brunswick, NJ, graduating with a B.A. in Spanish. She married Elwood "Woody" Ehrle in 1956. After Woody earned his Ph.D. in Botany in 1958, the couple moved to Geneseo, NY, where Woody began his teaching career. They lived in Bethesda, MD, Mankato, MN, and Terre Haute IN before arriving in Kalamazoo in 1980. Nancy worked as a secretary at Fisher Body in Portage, and then at Upjohn from 1984 until her retirement in 1999. Nancy was active in the arts community in Kalamazoo. She was a staunch supporter of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Orchestra League. She an Woody also greatly enjoyed hosting visiting KSO musicians in their home in Parkview Hills. Over the years, more than 80 visiting musicians enjoyed her hospitality and gourmet cooking. In 2000, she became a Founding President of Partners in Dance, a support group for the Dance Department at Western Michigan University, and served on their board of directors for 12 years. She also enthusiastically supported local theater. Nancy and Woody were veteran cruisers, and enjoyed 20 cruises to various far-flung parts of the world. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Pines Association of Parkview Hills for a number of years. Nancy also greatly enjoyed anectdotal writing and needlework of various kinds. Nancy leaves three sons: Erik (Claudia) Ehrle, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Ben (Susan) Ehrle, of Wilmington, NC; and Royce (Lisa), of Aurora, CO; and five grandchildren: Aaron Benjamin, Jessamine Christine, Emily Rachel, Emily Josephine, and Celia Katherine. She was preceded in death by her husband, Woody, her parents, and two brothers, Richard and Clayton Decker. She also leaves a very special friend, Dr. Colin Martin, of Bardsey, England. In accordance with Nancy's wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation, funeral, or memorial services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra or to the Dance Department of Western Michigan University. Nancy was a shining light in the Kalamazoo arts community for many years. Her gentle humor, love of life, curiosity, and compassion will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Olinger Mortuary Denver, CO https://www.dignitymemori