Nancy Jo Bowie Leitschuh

1945 - 2021

Obituary

Nancy Jo Bowie Leitschuh, 76, of Machesney Park, passed away peacefully on November 29, after struggling with an eating disorder for two years. She was born in Rock Island, Illinois in 1945 to Dorothy (Flesburg) and Herbert Bowie. She graduated from Auburn High School and Northern Illinois University and taught in the Rockford Public School System for many years.

Nancy was beautiful both inside and out. She was born on Valentines Day, which was appropriate because she was known for her sweet personality. She was an avid reader. She loved to learn and was constantly engaged in the pursuit of knowledge. She took special joy in her four siblings and traveled many miles with her sisters over the years. Also included in these travels were her “fourth” and “fifth” sisters, Linda Casperson and Patti Hoogerwerf. She always had a cat and loved each one dearly.

Nancy was very concerned about the social and economic inequalities in America and cared deeply about following Jesus’s teachings regarding her fellow man. She was disheartened that her early life churches seemed to have strayed from WWJD in pursuit of political power.

She is survived by three daughters: Ginger Ancona of Belvidere, IL, Michelle (Greg) Prater of Loves Park, IL, and Carla Kimberly Morse of Darlington, SC. She is also survived by four siblings: Donald Bowie of Seattle, WA, William (Lori) Bowie of Gainesville, FL, Sandra (Bruce) Bullock of Union Pier, MI, and Patricia (Michael) Pekarsky of Rockton, IL. Additional survivors include five grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren as well as eight nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Noel Leitschuh, and her son, Russell “Rusty” Leitschuh.

There will be a celebration of life in her memory when both COVID and the weather are better.

Posted online on December 05, 202