Nancy L. Krebs, née Leare, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, at the age of 97, surrounded by her family in Golden Valley.
For the people who knew her best, Nancy was more than a mother or grandmother. She was the steady center of the family—the person who remembered birthdays, asked thoughtful questions, and made people feel welcome the moment they walked through the door.
Born into a generation shaped by resilience and change, Nancy carried those qualities throughout her life. She approached people warmly and had a natural way of making conversations feel easy and familiar, whether with family, friends, coworkers, or someone she had just met.
Nancy spent many years working as a travel agent at Explorers World Travel, formerly located in Lake Bluff. She genuinely enjoyed helping others plan meaningful trips and experiences, and she brought patience and care to her work. Long before online booking became common, she helped families navigate travel with a calm and dependable presence that many appreciated and remembered.
Family remained the most important part of her life. She was the beloved wife of the late James W. Krebs and shared decades of marriage, family memories, and everyday life with him.
She is survived by her children Janice (Michael) Neal, Katherine Krebs, James F. (Elizabeth) Krebs, Linda (Richard) Eagle, and Robert (Alicja) Krebs.
Nancy was also a cherished “Grammie” to Karl, Jacqueline, David, Konrad, Kenneth, Jacob, and Kristina, and “Great Grammie” to Audrey, Oskar, Sydney, Asher, Adeline, Walker, Noa, and Otto.
Her family remembers her not through grand public accomplishments, but through smaller moments that mattered more over time—phone calls, conversations around the table, quiet support during difficult periods, and the comfort of simply knowing she was there.
Even in her later years, Nancy remained deeply connected to the people she loved. Her presence brought calmness and familiarity to family gatherings, and her kindness left lasting impressions across generations.
Private interment services will be held on June 27, 2026.
Nancy L. Krebs leaves behind a legacy rooted in family, warmth, and quiet devotion to the people around her. Her memory continues through the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who carry forward the love and stability she gave throughout her long life.
