Nancy Kaye Ginapp

Nancy Ginapp, age 72, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away in the peace and comfort of her home on Sunday, July 7th, 2024.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 15th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. This is the day of her 73rd birthday. Though her passing is a sad event, we cannot feel that her rejoining her beloved Ronald for her birthday would be the one thing she would desire. Visitation will be one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.

Born on July 15th, 1951, in Forest City, Iowa, she was the only child born to Maynard and Shirley (Hale) Johnston. She grew up in Belmond living in the family home above Johnston Funeral Home. Nancy was involved in the family business of funeral service, ambulance and the furniture store.

Her 17th year of life had strong emotions on both ends of the spectrum. During a football game, her well-loved father died in the stands of a heart attack. That same year she started dating Ron Ginapp (who by the way was the class younger, so he married an older woman). He would casually ask her if she needed a ride home, even though they could see her house from where they were, but she always agreed.

On June 22nd, 1974, they were united in marriage at the Belmond United Methodist Church. That union began a colorful journey of faith, family and friendships.

Nancy was a life-long learner. Graduating from Belmond High School in 1969, she later attended Waldorf College, Wartburg College and Iowa State University with that educational journey bringing her to the honor of Doctor of Psychology/Education.

Dr. Ginapp was employed in the Marshalltown School System in the counseling offices at Lenihan, Miller and later MHS. She also served on the adjunct faculty of MCC and Buena Vista College. After retirement, she began working at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Since her dad passed when she was 17, she didn’t really remember what he did, and this gave her a chance to know her dad. The funeral home staff will greatly miss her as she was planning on returning to work following hip surgery.

Nancy treasured her family and her dogs and the friends who enriched her life. She was a member of Hope United Methodist, Iowa Teachers Association, Belmond Alumni Association Class of 1969 and the ISU Tailgate Section A Fan Club which included dear friends of both Ron and her. She also attended more Three Dog Night concerts than anyone would ever believe alongside Ron.

Left to cherish her memory are her three children: Nick (Cassie) Ginapp of Crete, NE, Stacey (Michael) Barta of Johnston and Brad in Georgia; her grandchildren- Kenley, Peyton, Ellie and Laney Ginapp; Luke and Greta Barta and Aubrey and Gracie Ginapp; brothers-in-law Roger (Pat) Ginapp of Garner, IA and Bob (Teresa) Ginapp of Rockmart, GA, and many other relatives, former students and friends.

In death, Nancy rejoined her beloved Ronald who passed August 25th, 2023, her parents and granddaughter Bridget.