Fay N. Nemec (88) of Darlington, WI, formerly of Effingham

Fay N. Nemec, age 88 of Darlington WI, formerly of Effingham IL, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2020 at home in Sienna Crest in Darlington surrounded by family.

She was born Fairy Nellie Nelson, October 19, 1931 in Union Township, Effingham County, IL on her family farm not far from Mason IL, daughter of William and Agnes Warner Nelson. Fay was one of nine children and grew up on the farm with her favorite things being horseback riding and singing. She learned piano from her mother and never stopped playing, adding guitar and organ to her many talents. She earned her beautician’s license and was working in the Chicago area when she met husband Albert Frank Nemec. They married May 3, 1952, and built a home in Burr Ridge IL, to stay near Al’s job at Bell Telephone. They raised two sons – Albert Steven (m. Barbara Urban), and Brant Lee (m. Donna Bausch). They enjoyed many trips back to the home farm, and vacation travel to all 50 states, Canada and Mexico in their camper and later motorhome. When Al retired, they moved to a home on Lake Sara in Effingham, which was a return to Fay’s family area. Al passed away in 1994 and Fay continued to enjoy being near to her siblings, nieces and nephews for many years. She continued to enjoy travel taking group trips to Europe and the “Holy Land.” But her sons were in Missouri and Wisconsin so in 2011 she moved to Darlington to be closer to son Al (and Barb), grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Wisconsin. In her new Wisconsin home, she enjoyed her lifetime love of the outdoors spending as much time as possible in her yard planting, pruning and mowing. She became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She was a member of Darlington United Methodist Church, and earlier Effingham's Centenary United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed singing in the choirs. After a lifetime of dogs and horses, she was surprised by how much company an indoor cat could be. When memory failed her, she moved to Sienna Crest in Darlington where she made new friends and entertained them with piano, guitar, and organ playing, and frequently visited her son’s farm for gatherings with the family and “Cinder” her cat.

At the 2019 Nelson Family Reunion in Effingham, Fay was happy to see the family that she missed after moving to Wisconsin, the best part being spending time with all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as son Brant (and Donna), who had settled in Missouri, brought the whole family to see her. She was “Gramma Fay” to all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will miss her.

She is survived by her son Al (Barb) Nemec, daughter-in-law Donna (Brant) Nemec; grandchildren Albert M., Caitlynn, Christopher, and Danielle; great-grandchildren Alex, Marcus, Evelyn, Adeline Fay, Tarin, Talon, Madison; sister Mary Ella (H.O.) White, niece Sharon (Jim) Skaggs, and all the extended family in the Effingham area – too many to list.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband Al, son Brant, brothers Lloyd, Loren, Urban, Haven and Laverne; and sisters Irene (Clayton) Case and Marie (Bill) Goddard.

The family would like to thank all of the Effingham area family and friends that were her support when her sons were distant; and our Darlington friends that were always looking out for Fay and enjoyed getting to know her, also Doctor Solverson, and everyone at Darlington UMC (especially the Choir), Sienna Crest, AGrace Hospice Care, Lafayette County Memorial Hospital and Clinic, that were so kind, caring, and had many laughs with Fay. She will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her family and friends.

Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham IL from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday July 5, 2020 with funeral service at 11:00 am Monday July 6 at the funeral home after which she will be buried beside her husband at Arborcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Effingham. Condolences may be sent to Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, or Erickson’s Funeral Home in Darlington WI. Both have assisted the family with arrangements.