Racine- Nancy C. (nee: Ruppel) Chapek, age 78; passed away unexpectedly at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center early Friday morning, December 12, 2014.

A lifetime resident, Nancy was born in Racine on August 13, 1936 to Henry and Loretta (nee: Penzkowski) Ruppel. She graduated from Racine Lutheran High School in 1955.  On June 1, 1963 in St. John's Lutheran Church, she was united in marriage with Robert J. Chapek – who preceded her in death on April 9, 2010.

Nancy was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church. As a young adult, she was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa – which is a degenerative eye disease that causes vision impairment and, eventually, blindness. Although she was blind for most of her life, Nancy never let her disability interrupt her life. Nancy loved listening to audio books for the vision impaired, cheering on the Green Bay Packers and being at home in the surroundings of her entire family.

Surviving are children, Brian Chapek & Pamela Sorenson; adored granddaughter, Brittany Simanek; sister-in-law, Janet (Wes) Barr; her canine companion, Jake; other special relatives and friends – too numerous to mention all by name.

In addition to her parents and husband, Nancy was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Joseph Sorenson on October 9, 2013.

Funeral services will be held in St. John's Lutheran Church, 510 Kewaunee Street, on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 11:00 am with Rev. Jack Gilbert officiating. Interment will follow in West Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 – 7:00 pm and in the church on Thursday from 10-11 am.

A heartfelt note of thanks to Robert Navarro and Anita Witt for the dedicated care & support and for always being there for Nancy when she needed a helping hand. Your kindness will always be remembered.