Nancy L. Aspegren

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Nancy L. “Mrs. A” Aspegren, 77, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday evening, June 4, 2026, at Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell. She has been supported by Team Nancy (Katrina Beck Sinner, Beth Foster, Deb & John Kruetzer, and her daughter Heather) throughout the last few years of her life.

Nancy was born February 6, 1949 in Garden City, Kansas. She was one of four children born to Hugh and Patience (Gardiner) Walters. She grew up in Rhode Island, Indiana, and Liberal, Kansas, and graduated from Liberal High School. She then attended Ft. Hays State University, where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Special Education.

Nancy’s passion for kids and animals were a through-thread in her life. She spent decades as a Special Education Teacher and served as a substitute teacher and volunteer for many local schools in her retirement. She continued sharing her love of education, and dinosaurs specifically, as a volunteer for the Sternberg Museum. Nancy was devoted to her community as a member of the St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, St. John Lutheran Church, as well as the Russell Kiwanis Club, Russell Rotary Club, Association of Churches, dog leader in 4-H, and many other organizations. She was always there to lend a helping hand, whether it was putting up flags, working the community Thanksgiving, giving out cookies, or building parks.

A consummate shutterbug, Nancy took thousands upon thousands of photos of the Russell community over the last few decades. She loved watching the evolution of the town and all its inhabitants. Nancy continued her devotion to supporting children and adults with special needs as a coach for the Russell Rough Riders for over 50 years and was awarded a lifetime achievement award for her Special Olympics service in 2024.

Nancy’s surviving family include her daughter, Heather Aspegren of New York, New York and her partner Lorenz Schmid, her grand cats, Henrik, Siggi & Winston, and her brothers, Jay Walters (TJ) of Fontana, Kansas and Jeff Walters (Ginger) of Paola, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Wendy Peckman.

A Celebration of Nancy’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, June 19, 2026, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. In keeping with Nancy’s joie de vivre, please come in festive attire, celebrating her love of animals, dinosaurs, and Dr. Seuss, generally celebrating Nancy’s and our lives. A private spreading of ashes will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the Russell Rough Riders, the Russell Special Olympics Team. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.