Nancy A. Hemker

Nancy Ann Hemker, 73, of Winona, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at her home.

Nancy was born on March 19, 1951, to Clarence and Vernette (Wenzel) Belter in Wilson, MN. She grew up as a proud "Belter girl," known for her love of drinking beer, dancing, and playing cards. Nancy graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1969. On August 21, 1970, she married the love of her life, Robert Hemker, in Galena, IL. She knew she was chosen by the best, and their love was unwavering. Throughout their marriage, Robert wrote "RLN TUG" (Robert Loves Nancy, Thank You God) on their daily newspaper and notes, a testament to their deep devotion. They were truly like peas and carrots, inseparable in their adventures and business endeavors.

Nancy and Robert built a life filled with excitement and hard work. As Robert pursued his entrepreneurial ventures—buying and selling land, building dredges, and running businesses—Nancy was the financial mastermind who made it all possible. She played the stock market, worked the interest rates at the banks, handled contract for deeds, and always found a way to turn opportunities into success. She was by Robert’s side in every venture, whether it was driving tractor on the farm, milking cows and pulling calves, taking cement trucks to California, counting loads of sand when they built Fleet Farm, or traveling the country in their red GMC.

Nancy had many passions, including slot machine tournaments in Las Vegas, playing Schafkopf, Euchre, and Texas Hold 'Em, and tending to her garden—especially growing radishes and onions, a true Belter tradition. She found joy in mowing the lawn on her John Deere, listening to old country music, and, most of all, spending time with her three children. Her laughter was contagious, and her home was her favorite place to be. Nancy's life was filled with love, adventure, and determination. She leaves behind a legacy of resilience, devotion, and joy. Nancy was intelligent, hard-working, and a generous mother who will be dearly missed.

Nancy is survived by her children, Bobbi Jo Hemker of Wilson, Travis (Jen) Hemker of Winona, and Nicole (Mike) Williams of Wilson; grandchildren, Lucas (Jennifer) Heintz, Joseph Heintz, Andrew (Erica Kish) Heintz, Bryan Hemker, Jake (Paige Sproul) Willliams, Sam Williams; Tryston Hemker, Tyson Hemker, and Jolee Hemker; great-grandchildren Victoria Heintz, Anna Heintz, Bennett Heintz, Steven Heintz, and Elaine Kronebusch; step-grandchildren Jocelyn Brunner and Kaston Brunner, brother, David (Donna) Belter; and Dean (Judy) Belter; and many nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; sister and brother in-law Judy (Richard) Hemker, brother, Denny Belter; and niece, Heather Belter.

Pallbearers are Roger Hemker, Thomas Hemker, Randy Hemker, Jason Belter, Jamie Belter, Adam Belter, Scott Belter, and Mike Belter. Honorary pallbearers are Brian Belter, Brenda Kelly, and Nancy's grandchildren. 

Nancy was a member of St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winona. Memorials are preferred to St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Visitation will be held from noon until the funeral service at 2 PM on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 E. Sarnia St., Winona. The Reverend Richard A. Moore will officiate. Nancy will be laid to rest at the Witoka Cemetery later this spring.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Nancy’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.