Nancy L. Bronsted, age 92, a lifelong resident of Tomahawk, WI, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 5, 2026, at Milestone Senior Living, where she had resided in the memory care unit for the past five years. Nancy was born on May 26, 1934, to the late Everett and Erna Plautz. On November 25, 1954, she married the love of her life, Jim Bronsted. Together, they shared 61 wonderful years of marriage.
Nancy loved to golf and spent many enjoyable years on the course with her sister and longtime golfing partner, Jeanne Rae. She and Jim also shared a love of camping and traveling. For more than 20 winters, they escaped the Wisconsin cold to vacation on St. Simons Island, GA, a place they truly loved and where they created many special memories together. Nancy was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church. Above all else, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family was the center of her life, and nothing brought her greater joy than the time she spent with them.
Survivors include her daughters, Julie (John) Shelley, Tammy (Mark) Gustafson, and Kelly (Jerry) VanStrydonk; and her sister, Paula Polege. Nancy is further survived by her grandchildren, Jenna Shelley, Siri (Chuck) Pankow, Travis VanStrydonk (Amber Prust), and Jill (Matt) Sykes; and her great-grandchildren, Mya, Autumn, Aspen, Tyson, Karter, Lindsey, and Tanner. She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Erna; her husband, Jim; and her sister, Jeanne Rae Paulson.
Nancy lived a wonderful long life and was ready to be reunited with Jim in Heaven. There are simply not enough words to express the family’s heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Milestone Memory Care Unit for the around-the-clock love, care, compassion, and friendship they gave Nancy throughout the years she called Milestone home. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to Compassus Hospice for the wonderful care they provided to Nancy and for helping her family through this journey. Their kindness, compassion, and support were truly exceptional and will never be forgotten.
A private family memorial service will be held. Nancy and Jim will be inurned together at Greenwood Cemetery. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family.
