Rev. Nancy Mae (Goetz) Gross Wood

Nancy Wood, 83, of Middleton went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at Country Friends Assisted Living of Sumner. 

Nancy was born in Breckenridge, Michigan on July 26, 1940 and was the daughter of Ernest Goetz and Clarice Newhall.

Nancy graduated from Ithaca High School in 1958. She was a stay at home mom and babysat several children until she went to work as a pharmacy technician for Ithaca Drug and Sabo Pharmacy and retired in 1987.  She was ordained a minister on February 2, 2005 at Amazing Grace Church by Dr. Richard Jolliff.  Her heart was to let others know that Jesus Christ loves them and wants to be Lord of their lives.  She was a gospel singer for many years and recorded several albums and received many key awards from the Michigan Gospel Music Association. She ministered in many churches, jails, prisons and went on work missions to Mexico and Honduras with World Gospel Mission as well as several lay witness missions in the US.  

Her passion was to sing gospel music and preach in the men’s prisons in Carson City and St. Louis. She wanted the men to know that no matter what they had done, that they are not alone and that there is hope in Jesus.

She loved spending time with her family. She is survived by her children:  James (Diane Merchant) Gross of Ithaca, Susan (Andy) Grosnickle of Potterville, Bob (Jessica) Gross of Tallmadge Ohio, Angie (Fred) Szelag of Mt Pleasant, step-children Ann (Steve) McNair of Charlotte, Susan (Dr. Paul) Worley of Ithaca, Laurie Thurman of Ft. Wayne Indiana, several grand-children and great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews, her brother John (Phyllis) Goetz of Glenmore Pennsylvania, her sisters Jeanie Soucie of St. Louis, Michigan and Judy Beatty of Madison Alabama, her half sister and brother Carol Buck and Charlie Goetz; and her step-mother, Louise Freeman. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Raymond Gross, her second husband, Norman Wood, granddaughter, Michaelle Rehmann, brother Carl Goetz, and her half sister Jennifer "Jenner" Mansen.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 11:00 am at Amazing Grace Church in Wheeler, with Dr. Richard Jolliff officiating.   Visitation will be at 10:00 am before the service.  A luncheon will be served.  Burial will be at a later date in Ithaca Cemetery.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Country Friends Assisted Living or Amazing Grace Church for their members working in prison ministries.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca.  Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Comments

[Tom & Kathy Howes Kanitz]

Prayers & condolences to your family. Nancy was a very special lady & truly impacted our lives. Jesus’ light & love shown bright as she sweetly sang “Into My Heart” at the old Ithaca Baptist Church (my 5-6th grade) in my pre-saved years. She babysat Julie, Tom’s young daughter, & as his new wife, Nancy blessed us with one of her lovely albums & I still sing those songs of inspiration & faith. She was very close to Tom’s parents, Wilbur & Clella also. She’s a great loss but what an impact she’s had on countless people. Grateful for her & sorry for your loss. Tom & Kathy

[Dawn Peterson]

To the Gross family
Sorry sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. She was my neighbor for many year on Ithaca St. I always loved to hear her sing. Now she can sing to the angels in heaven
Dawn (Harkness) Peterson

[Nancy E Gulick]

Prayers to all of the families. Many fond memories of special neighborhood events within all of us from S. Ithaca St.

[Sally Reava]

Sincere condolences to Nancy’s family. Heaven’s choir has a new member.

[Gloria Hills]

Dear family of Nancy - you were so blessed with a sweet Mom. As my family spent a lot of time with yours during all those MGMA concerts; I was blessed to spend time with Nancy and then would meet up and have a visit in later years - so glad we’ll meet again.
God’s richest blessings upon y’all - love and prayers, Ps 62
Ev Gloria Hills

[Dennis Waldron]

I'll miss Nancy she was a good woman and a godly woman I remember growing up the pine Grove Church when the gross's were pastoring there. I was lucky to know her and the family.Rest with the Lord.

[Rhonda Carter]

I will always hold the memories in my heart of going to her concerts, hanging around the family, the peace in her house was tremendously important to me and God used her to bring me to Christ. R.I.P my dear sweet aunt. Until we meet again…

[Chad DesRochers]

Jim

So sorry for your loss
Deepest condolences
Chad and Paula DesRochers

[Kendra smith]

Jim
I am so very sorry for your loss. Hugs and strength to you and your family during this sad time. .

[Craig Snyder and family]

Jim and Family,
Our prayers and condolences, so sorry for your loss.

[Connie Allen Bentivegna]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family for the loss of sweet Nancy. She was a very special Christian lady who shared her strong faith in God. I enjoyed working with Nancy at the drug store for several years. I have several of her albums. What a beautiful voice that she can now share with the angels.

[Lisa Dailey]

What I loved most about Nancy was that she was willing to love the broken, the outcasts, and the rejected. She loved people that everyone else just wanted to throw away. She truly demonstrated the love that Jesus has for us. The world is a better place because she was here. I pray for the peace that passes all understanding for all her loved ones.

[Tim Stahl]

My condolences to Jim, Sue, Bob and Angie. I expect her to greet me with open arms in heaven as she did to your childhood home. Jesus made rooms for all of us who believe. One day we can all gather in one to play Atari and euchre again. Blessed Peace be with you and your families.

[Stacey Clark Dickman]

Jim and family,
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Praying peace and comfort for you all!

[Joni]

I’m soo sorry for your loss and it deeply grieves my heart that she is gone. I was working with her at the prison ministry just knowing her and talking to her blessed my heart and spirit abundantly!! As well as her many stories of God supernatural faithfulness. May the Lord comfort you in your loss.

[Tim & Telli Luneack]

Jim & family, so sorry for your loss.