Nancy Lee Brey, 86, of Ontario, Wis., a loving mother and grandmother, passed away Jan. 2, 2025, at the Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis. She was born Aug. 15, 1938, in Ontario, Wis., to the late LaVerne and Mayvis (Gilbertson) Clark.
Nancy was a 1956 graduate of Ontario High School. She moved to Milwaukee and worked for Bruce Publishing, where Nancy was able to use her award-winning spelling skills. Nancy spent a year working for the company but made every attempt to come back home on weekends, hoping to catch a glimpse of the handsome, single Sonny Brey. Nancy and her best friend, Earl “Sonny” Brey, were married Oct. 4, 1957, at the United Brethren Church — now Grace Community Church — in Ontario, where they settled down on the Brey home farm.
Nancy’s heart was firmly rooted in the family farm, where she and Sonny raised their four children. As a hardworking farm wife, she was the backbone of the household. Sonny often declared her to be the best cook and baker. After finishing the milking and chores on the farm, everyone was always welcomed into the aroma of homemade bread, donuts and other delicious treats.
Nancy was an active member of the Ontario Homemakers Club, the Red Hatters Club and the Quilting Club. She proudly designed and created a quilt for all her grandchildren. Her strong faith led her to be an active member of her church, where she loved teaching Sunday school and helping wherever she could.
She was a creative soul. Nancy took up oil painting as a hobby. She loved making crafts and doing ceramics and was an avid reader.
Nancy loved baseball and carried on her and Sonny’s devoted support of the Chicago Cubs after Sonny died. Her favorite player was Anthony Rizzo, whose poster she requested hung in her apartment.
Nancy’s legacy will continue to live on through her children, grandchildren and cherished great-grandchildren, all of whom will carry forward the lessons of love that she represented. Her unwavering faith guided her through each day.
Nancy is survived by her children, Jeff (Lisa) Brey of Sparta, Brad Brey of Ontario, Tanya (Jerome) Dickman of Cashton and Justin Brey of Tomah; her grandchildren: Jeff’s children, Ty (Morgan) and their kids, Wyatt, Ryleigh, and Raelynn, and Jake (Hannah) and their kids, Elliott, Jackson, and Reed; Brad’s son, Jon Brey, Tanya’s children, Chance (Dani) Dickman and their kids, Everleigh and Beckham, and Lane (Tyler) Lindner and their son Rollie, Justin’s children, Drew, Peter and Madisyn; her brother and sister, Gary (Donna) Clark of Moline, Ill., and Linda King of Tomah; her brothers-in-law, Jack VonRuden of Sparta and John Belsky; her sisters-in-law, Carolyn Clark of Wilton, Karen Clark of Tomah, and Carol (Jay) Buswell of Janesville; along with many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Sonny in 2012; her parents; her grandson, Paden Dickman; her sister, Sandy VonRuden; her brothers, Ronnie and Dennis Clark; and Sonny’s siblings, James (Jean) Brey, Janice Belsky, Shirley (Marvin) Truesdell, and Clea (Norman) Surbeck.
Nancy’s family would like to invite family and friends to a visitation from 4–7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at the Torkelson Funeral Home, 720 Madison St., Ontario, Wis. A private family service and burial will be held in Hilltop Rest Cemetery, Ontario. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
