Nancy Zerbst

Nancy Jane (Butolph) Zerbst, 96, of Newcastle, died May 31, 2021, after a brief illness. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was born June 21, 1924, on Skull Creek Place in Weston County, WY, to Avilo and Minnie (Rose) Butolph. She was the 11th child out of 13 children. She lived with her family on many ranches in Crook County, WY. She worked for the Kuemmerle Ranch until she married James Zerbst, Sr. on July 3, 1941.

Jim and Nancy lived on the Zerbst ranch and raised two children: James, Jr. and Ruthie. Nancy loved life on the ranch. She enjoyed cooking, baking, holding dances at the ranch, camping, fishing, and spending time with family. After the death of her husband, she moved to Newcastle where she resided until her death. She was a loving and creative person – she had a gift for art, crafting, gardening, and leading 4-H groups. Nancy enjoyed being a member of the Busy Beaver Club and the Assembly of God Church. She always had cookies ready for her grandchildren and friends, and she was famous for her homemade pies.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Ruthie Spence of Newcastle, WY; daughter-in-law, Karen Zerbst of Sturgis, SD; nephew, Glenn (Caroline) Zerbst, of Newcastle, WY; nephew, Bob (Caron) Zerbst of Rozet, WY; niece, Margey (Greg) Knight of Las Vegas, NV; Niece Vera (Mike) Smith, of Pine Haven, WY; nephew, Stan (Mary Ellen) Butolph, of Rapid City, SD; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; her 12 siblings: Blanch, Willis, Roy, Ethel, Edith, infant sister Elsie, Edna, Harold, Eldon, Glenn, Ray and infant brother Lloyd; her husband, James E. Zerbst, Sr.; son, James E. Zerbst, Jr.; and son-in-law, Bill Spence.

Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on June 10, 2021, at The First United Methodist Church in Newcastle, with a visitation to begin at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Newcastle, WY. Memorials may be made to the Weston County Senior Citizens Center or Weston County Helping Hands Foundation.

Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Meridian Mortuary, 111 S. Railroad Ave., Newcastle, WY 82701. Condolences may also be expressed at meridianmortuary.com