Nancy Heinz

A friend to all and a stranger to no one, Nancy Lee Ballengee Heinz, Mom, and Nana, lived a full life to the very end as she passed away peacefully December 22, 2023. She spent 91 years on this good Earth doing for others including devoting full attention to raising her six children. She was born September 26, 1932, in Evanston, IL to Harold and Sara Ballengee. She spent significant portions of her childhood being raised by her grandparents, Charles and Emma Tittle in Rapid City, South Dakota. Her time in South Dakota included attending college at Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell. She married Charles Heinz of North Kansas City, MO on December 27, 1959, in Rapid City and he survives her. They had six children, and she is survived by five of them and their spouses: Chuck (Laura) of Lubbock, TX, Curt (Janis) of Lenexa, KS, Carrie (Scott) Jostmeyer of Frisco, TX, Chris (Laura) of Prairie Village, KS and Cindy (Erik) Bendorf of Leawood, KS. She is preceded in death by a daughter, Christine Marie Heinz and by her father Harold Ballengee, his wife Ruby, and her mother Sara Ballengee. Also surviving are her thirteen grandchildren: Emily (John) Supica, Connor Heinz, Hanna (Matt) Edgar, Hailey, Hattie and Harper Jostmeyer, Mark, Becca and Krista Heinz, Ashley and Bridget Bendorf, Stephani (Josh) Parker and Samantha Stokes. Four great grandchildren; Ellie and Sophia Supica and Noah and Nehemiah Parker. Her adult years included primary driver to school, practices, games and a variety of kid activities plus treating her family to her world-famous cinnamon rolls on special occassions, homemade frosted sugar cookies for all seasons especially Valentines Day and Halloween, pancakes the first day of school for children and grandchildren and a constant supply of love and support. She loved the Chiefs, Royals, KU basketball and K State football plus Texas Tech too. A true fan who didn’t just jump on the band wagon when times were great. She spent many, many years at McDaniel Pharmacy, Medicine Shoppe, and Ken’s Sunflower Pharmacy in downtown Overland Park. She was dearly loved by customers who she knew by name and her co-workers. She loved them back and provided constant updates on her children and grandchildren to any who would listen. She was a long-time member of Valley View United Methodist Church in Overland Park serving as a volunteer at Evening Care and Stephen Ministry for countless years. She wanted cooperation for Christmas and birthdays, her family, and friends to love one another and was always wondering if the Chiefs were going to pull it out and win (even in the lean years). In lieu of flowers, she and the family ask for donations to Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City, www.kcdsi.org in memory of Christine Marie Heinz. Services will be held on January 13, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Church of the Resurrection Overland Park (Valley View UMC), 8412 95th Street in Overland Park with a reception following at the church. Her service will also be available online: https://online.brushfire.com/careandmentalwellness/memorials

And as our mom would say, “just do your best.”