5/31/1946 - 9/3/2007

Nancy Ann Kirchberg, 61, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center, Fitchburg, following a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born in Sparta, Wis., on May 31, 1946, the daughter of Charles O. and Hazel (Witthuhn) Wilson. Her family moved to Columbus while she was in the fifth grade. She graduated with honors from Columbus High School in 1964. She married Virgil J. Kirchberg on Feb. 12, 1966, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in East Bristol.
While in high school, she was the president of the forensics/drama club and president of Future Business Leaders of America. Nancy was involved in the school play, pep club, band and cheerleading. She was a Badger Girls' State representative and a member of National Honor Society. She won the State and National FBLA speaking contest held in Washington, D.C.
After high school, she attended Columbia County Teachers College in Columbus, where she received her two-year teaching license in June 1966. Nancy taught summer school in Cambria that year, then taught Columbia County Head Start pre-school while completing her four-year degree at UW-Oshkosh. She graduated with high honors from UW-Oshkosh in 1970, majoring in elementary education and minoring in art. She later received her masters degree in reading education from UW-Oshkosh in 1980.
Nancy began teaching in the Columbus School District during the 1970-71 school year as a long-term substitute in first grade. She taught first and second grade for 15 years and then taught fourth grade for 18 years. She retired from the district in June 2003. During her time as a teacher, she spent countless hours after school working with students who needed a little extra help. Her educational dedication and vision also resulted in the creation of the first and fourth grade curriculum. Her work with the School Evaluation Consortium, the State Reading Conferences and the DPI State Reading Guide has helped many of her colleagues statewide.
She was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, the Columbus Athletic Booster Club and the National Education Association. Even after her children graduated, she continued to enjoy many school programs and events. She also taught Sunday school at St. Jerome.
Along with spending time with her family and friends, Nancy enjoyed reading and doing most arts and crafts. During her retirement, she spent time working with oil painting and stained glass. She also painted several large murals on the walls of her grandchildren's' rooms.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a brother, Charles V. (Ruth) Wilson, Portage; two sisters, Bonnie J. Phillips, Sun Prairie, and Lori L. (Lee) D'Addario, Hartford, Conn.; four sons and their wives, Douglas C. (Heidi) Kirchberg, and Timothy C. (Debbie) Kirchberg, both of Columbus, Paul J. (Lynn) Kirchberg, DeForest, and Joel D. (Mary) Kirchberg, Columbus; eight grandchildren, Turner S. (12), Christian S. (11), Tanner J. (9), Lauren E. (7), Trey S. (6), Trace C. (4), Mason J. (4), and Cullen J. (8 months) and other relatives and friends. Her ninth grandchild is expected in October.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and one son, Scott W. Kirchberg.

Classmate Note: Nancy was such a studious little thing in highschool. She was an accomplished musician, student and baton twirler all four years of highschool. You can't forget her cheerleading skills, she out jumped all of us. Nancy was, most importantly, a very nice person.

We miss you Nancy!