Nancy Iler Burkholder, artist, teacher, and loving wife, friend, and mother, died Sunday, April 17, 2022, Easter morning at sunrise in her beloved St. Petersburg, FL. She was 91 years old.
Nancy was born on August 25, 1930, and raised in St. Pete. Her adventuresome spirit took her to Chapel Hill, NC for college, where she met Bill in a dance class, her husband of 70 years. While dancing was one of Nancy’s passions, Bill was in the class with an eye to meet a woman. Well, he succeeded in spades! From the beginning of their life together in Chapel Hill, they went on to share in Bill’s military career of 24 years and 22 moves, growing their family of three daughters along the way. Nancy had an amazing ability to create a new, heart-filled home for her family wherever they landed. She was the quintessential Girl Scout leader, classroom mother, and Vacation Bible School teacher. Upon Bill’s retirement, the family moved back to St. Pete where Nancy renewed her love and involvement in her hometown.
A woman of deep and exploring faith with an eye on social justice, Nancy was a member of the First United Methodist Church of St. Petersburg her entire life. Upon her return home, she was involved in church leadership with the United Methodist Women, starting the recovery ministry at First Church, teaching Disciple Bible courses, and participating in missions in Cuba.
Nancy’s spirit and humor were contagious. She loved holding dance parties, painting classes and swim lessons with family and neighborhood children. She was a dedicated art student herself, starting at a young age as the illustrator of her high school yearbook. After college, she did not paint during the years of raising a family but resumed this passion in mid-life after returning to St Pete, joining her treasured Groupe d’Accord painting group led by Shirley Frank. She went on to have her own one-woman show at the Morean Art Center and many of her paintings have been displayed in public buildings and private homes.
Nancy’s parents, Rosalie Estes Iler and Owen Leighton Iler were also long-standing residents of St. Petersburg. She is also predeceased by her beloved brother William Leighton Iler. Nancy is survived by her husband, William R. (Bill) Burkholder; three daughters Anne Daniel (Steve), Liz Dantone, and Susan Burkholder (Tandy Brown); three grandchildren Tim Risley (Kaeleya), Ali Brown (Lauren Cunningham), and Rosa Brown (Franck Aevouelie Kouassi); one great-grandchild, Eliana Risley; sister-in-law Mary Ann Carroll; and nieces and nephew Lynn Iler, Karen Koenig, and Will Iler. Extended family includes the Son children, Tanya, Xuan, Mai Son Ramos, and Savon and their children Sara, Nyda, Hanna, and Johnny; and Thanh Le, Thom Tran, their sons Tien, Tuan, Tung, Toan, Tan, and their families.
We lift up and celebrate the gifts and spirit of Nancy, our beloved wife, mother and friend. A service of remembrance will be held Thursday, April 21, 11:00 AM at Westminster Suncoast Senior Living Center, 1095 Pinellas Point Dr. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705. In lieu of flowers please support Learning Empowered, attn: Children of the World Preschool, Memorial for Nancy Burkholder. TX ID – 59-1623437. 12945 Seminole Blvd, Bldg. 2, Largo FL 33778-2319
Service Information:
Venue for Service: Westminster Suncoast
Address for Service: 1095 Pinellas Point Dr. S. St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Service Date: 2022-04-21
Service Start Time: 11:00 am