Nancy Cass, age 83, of Butte, Montana, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2025.
Nancy was born on April 1, 1942, in Anaconda, Montana, to Thomas and Frances Simkins. After graduating from Anaconda High, she proudly enlisted in the United States Army. She served honorably as Secretary to the Chief of Staff, achieving the rank of Private First Class (E-3).
Following her military service, Nancy remained in Winchester, Virginia, where she married and welcomed her three children. She built a successful career working for Rubbermaid before returning to Anaconda in the early 1970s. She remarried and settled in Butte, where she wore many hats over the years: from dedicated homemaker, to co-owner and operator of a cleaning and snow removal company, to teaching aerobics, and finally retiring as a paralegal. She approached each endeavor with great pride and resilience.
In 1999, Nancy was blessed to find her soulmate and best friend, Ronald Cass. They shared 19 wonderful years filled with love, laughter, and adventure. Nancy and Ron cherished their time together traveling, enjoying friendships, and watching sporting events—especially the Minnesota Vikings games. They spent winters in Arizona, where they enjoyed the warmth, their friends, and attending the Seattle Mariners spring training games.
Nancy had many passions, including knitting, playing her piano, singing; she even played in a two-person band. Her love language, however, was baking. From an early age, her children remember the comforting smell of homemade bread and cookies. She was especially known for her skill with all things rhubarb. During the holidays, family and friends eagerly awaited her special deliveries of povitica, zucchini breads, and nut breads.
Nancy will be remembered for her kindness, her unwavering devotion to family, her deep love of music and angels, and the quiet strength she carried throughout her life. She touched every life she encountered, and everyone who met her loved and enjoyed her company.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ronald Cass; her parents, Thomas and Frances Simkins; her sisters, Jean Johnson and Bonnie Redd. We know she is happy to be reunited with them again.
Nancy is survived by her loving children: Doug Rosencrans wife Lori, Mick Rosencrans wife Dawn, Suzanne Morgan husband Ross. She is survived by her cherished grandchildren: Brandon and Christina Rosencrans, Megan Signornie, Heather Schmidt, Hannah Katrice, Justin Loewen, and Ryan Morgan, as well as nine great-grandchildren and two step sons Dan and Dean Rosencrance. She is survived by her siblings: brothers Tommy Simkins, Ronald Simkins, sister Mary Sue Rosheholt.
She is lovingly remembered by her extended Cass family Barb Cass and family, Dan and Alisa Cass and family, Lura and Scott Nuthak and family all of whom held a special place in her heart. To Nancy, family was everything; it didn’t matter whether you were blood-related or not, you were family to her.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 7th, at 11:00 AM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where family and friends will gather to honor her remarkable life and the many memories she created, with a luncheon to follow.
Please visit below to leave a memory of Nancy or to share a condolence.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Nancy and her family.
Kathy Decker says
Wishing you strength to sustain you during this difficult time and healing of both mind and spirit. Prayers and thoughts are with all of Nancy’s family and friends. With deepest sympathy.