Nancy Gayle Flynn was born June 20, 1932, in North Platte, Lincoln County, Nebraska. She was the elder child of James Kennett Flynn (b. February 7, 1897, d. October 11, 1965, North Platte) and Lela Gretchen Lawson Flynn (b. September 11, 1905, Merrick County, Nebraska, d. December 14, 2006, Papillion, Nebraska). She was 93 when she passed away quietly in her sleep, with members of her family by her side in Sioux Falls, S.D.

As a young girl, Nancy made sandwiches and helped in the prep area in the back of the North Platte Canteen during World War II.  In high school she typed and mimeographed copies of the daily menu sheets for F.W. Woolworth lunch counter downtown, where her mother ran the pet department, caring for fish, birds and other small creatures. She attended North Platte Catholic Schools from first grade to tenth, and graduated from North Platte Senior High School in 1950. Nancy married Robert J. Bertrand on June 10, 1950 and the two followed his radio announcer career from North Platte to Colby, KS, Rochester, MN, and finally to Minneapolis, where Bob anchored a show on WCCO on the 20th floor in the famous Foshay Tower. The Bertrand family grew, welcoming Robert Joseph II, Deborah Gayle, Pamela Jayne and James Randal, settling in Bloomington, MN, outside the city.

Nancy was widowed on May 6,1961 when the plane Bob was piloting in Wisconsin snagged a fence while trying to land in fog and he was killed. Nancy and the children returned to North Platte, moving into her parents' upstairs apartment, and Nancy went to work, first as a bookkeeper for Conoco, and later in the same role at Rosenberg Insurance Company. The children attended the Catholic schools and enjoyed city recreational programs in the summertime.

The family grew once again when Nancy and Verlyn Glebe married. They greeted Lee Anthony in 1965 and changed their address to the big house across the street from the Flynns. Nancy returned to work in 1970, as bookkeeper and then office manager of the Cedar Bowl, a position she held until her retirement nearly 30 years later. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Nancy ran her own business, El Rancho Lawn Ornaments, for three years before retiring in earnest. Her leisure years were filled with family, living with her daughter, Deb, for 18 years and visiting her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Nancy was devoted to her role as mother and forged a singular relationship with each of her children. She endeavored to be there for each child, supporting and believing in them, but without shielding them from the bumps and bruises of becoming honorable people. A typical exchange might have one child complaining that someone called them names. "Were they right?" she'd ask. "No," came the reply. "Well, then," she'd pose, "what's the problem?"

A friend to the unfortunate, small animals and the suffering, Nancy never failed to go out of her way to help in any way she could. She was a firm believer that even a small gesture was worth making to ease someone's need. No one could count the many times Nancy observed for even the smallest of the children to remember, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." Instilling kindness and compassion in her children was as important to her as feeding, clothing and loving them into self-confidence. She believed her one calling on earth was to bring up her children and put them on the right path. If she failed that, "nothing else really mattered."

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, her sister, Gretchen Flynn, and her infant daughter, Maria Bertrand.

Surviving Nancy are her children, Robert (Durinda) Bertrand II of Friendswood, TX; Deborah Bertrand of Lincoln, who faithfully cared for her for nearly two decades; Pamela "Penny" (Norwood) BayBridge of Sioux Falls, S.D.; James (Kristi) Bertrand of Lincoln; and Lee (Connie) Glebe of North Platte. She is also survived by her niece, Elizabeth Anne Flynn (Bill d. 2004) of Norco, CA, and her 12 grandchildren: Erik (Linda) BayBridge, Ortonville, MN; Liberty (Matthew) Schinzing, Sioux City, NE; Avelyn Day, Tinker AFB, OK; Laurelle BayBridge, Rapid City, SD; Anthony (Rebecca) Bertrand, Lee's Summit, MO; Erin (Joe) Brick,Chippewa Falls, WI; Claire (Ben) Kaup, Stuart; Marie (Tyler) Minchow, Lincoln; Hannah (Alec) Miller, Lincoln; Isabelle Bertrand, Lincoln; James Wilkerson, San Antonio, TX; and Daniel (Alexanne) Wilkerson, North Platte. She was blessed to have 26 great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on August 28, 2025 at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in North Platte.  Graveside service will follow at North Platte City Cemetery. Friends and family are welcome to a luncheon following at St Patrick Catholic Church.

Visitation will be from noon to 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel on August 27, with family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorials may be made in her name to North Platte Catholic Schools or FUR Animal Rescue in North Platte.  Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.