Nancy L. Ertl, 78, of Peosta, Iowa died Wednesday, November 11, 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Peosta. Burial was in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road was in charge of arrangements.
Nancy was born on August 12, 1937 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Nancy married Fred F. Ertl Jr., who became her lifelong best friend on December 3, 1969. Fred brought to the marriage two wonderful children, Cathy (Jim) Hubbard and Fred III (fiancé Joan Nicks) and eventually three grandchildren who were her love, enjoyment and pride; Audrey (Nate Miller), Erick Hubbard and Alexis Ertl.
Nancy graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in 1958 and later attended the University of Dubuque. Nancy loved nursing, especially operating room nursing, where she began her career. Nancy was privileged to be elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Operating Room Nurses in 1972 and was elected President in 1978.
Nancy had only two major employers in her long career, because she believed in their missions and their leadership in health care. Nancy was employed by Mercy Medical Center from 1958 until 1987, serving in a variety of nursing leadership positions. She started working in the operating room and became the OR head nurse at the age of twenty-one, and ultimately was named department manager. While there, she was instrumental in establishing the hospital's first cardiac surgery department, which became one of Iowa's best. In 1987 Nancy joined Medical Associates, and in 2000 retired as Chief Operating Officer. She was a key part in the planning for Medical Associates West Campus. She enjoyed mentoring other nurses and helping them take on leadership and management positions.
In the early 1980's Nancy and her good friend Sylvia Doyle of Houston, Texas founded Nursing Expertise in Software Design. The company developed software for computer systems in the operating room. Products included scheduling, inventory, utilization, quality assurance and patient care plans. They traveled extensively consulting with many hospitals. They sold the company to a large Tennessee firm in the 1980's.
After family and profession, Nancy loved to play golf in Iowa and Arizona and had so many good friends with which to enjoy the game. When not on the golf course, Nancy loved to cook and entertain, and no one left hungry. She especially enjoyed hosting parties for her and Fred's employees. She kept Christmas well.
Nancy attributed most of her success in business, golf, and entertaining to the support she received from her best friend and husband, Fred. They enjoyed traveling the world together in their business and professional roles, with visits to Japan, Hong Kong, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
Also surviving are three brothers, Larry (Alice) Torgler of Winterhaven, Florida, Ron (Dale) Torgler of Colorado Springs, Colorado, George (Linda) Torgler of East Dubuque, Illinois; Sisters and brothers-in-law, Pat Torgler of Dubuque, Darlene Ertl, Carol (Mike) Lundgren, Joe (Helen) Ertl, Allan (Sue) Ertl, of Dyserville, and John (Pat) Ertl of Guttenberg. Also surviving are many wonderful nieces and nephews and friends from both Iowa and Arizona. All who loved Nancy very much.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Delphine Torgler and her brother-in-law, Robert Ertl.
Online condolence may be left for the family at www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com
Memorials may be sent to Saint John the Baptist Church of Peosta and Mercy Medical Center Dubuque Cardiology Unit.