Nancy (Jensen) Arnold, born July 28, 1952, in Ames, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on April 6, 2026. While her passing was sudden, she is deeply loved and will be carried in her families’ hearts always.
On April 24, 1970, Nancy married Rick Arnold of Chatfield, Minn. Together they shared almost 56 years together raising their family and building a life centered on resilience, commitment, and care for their three daughters and seven grandchildren.
Nancy was a devoted mother to her three daughters: Jody of Colorado, Kimberly (Brendan Lowrey) of Houston, Tex., and Lesley (Sean Musel) of Chatfield. She was a proud and joyful “goofy grandma” to her seven beloved grandchildren who adored her and brought her endless pride and happiness: Hannah, Joseph, Jacob, Isaac and Elijah Lowrey, and McKenna and Caden Musel.
Nancy dedicated more than 50 years of her life to the Mayo Clinic, working in the Cardiovascular Cath Lab. Her dedication, steady presence, and compassion made a lasting impact on both her colleagues and the patients she cared for throughout her long career. Outside of work, Nancy found joy in crafting and the outdoors. She loved knitting, crocheting, sewing and quilting. She created countless handmade gifts that will be treasured for generations. After retirement, she enjoyed learning to fly fish and bow hunt with Rick, and they spent many days fishing and hunting together.
Nancy never met a stranger. She had a way of making every person feel important. Her kindness was constant, her generosity unmatched, and her ability to connect with others left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She will be deeply missed for the many ways she showed her love: her secret Oreos for breakfast, her bedtime tuck-ins, playing Scrabble and other board games, and the simple but meaningful traditions she created. Her birthday phone calls, complete with her and Grandpa singing “Happy Birthday,” were a highlight each year and a reminder of how deeply she cared. She had a special way of making everyday moments feel memorable, whether through sharing homemade treats like kringla and Rice Krispies bars, bending the rules just enough to make her grandchildren smile, or sitting down to play a game and turning it into laughter and connection. She paid attention to the little things, and in doing so, made everyone feel uniquely loved.
Her care and love were a source of comfort and warmth. Nancy’s legacy lives on in her daughters, her grandchildren, and in the countless lives she touched through her kindness, her work, and her unwavering ability to make others feel valued.
She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.
Funeral services for Nancy will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Chatfield United Methodist Church with Reverend Debra Collum officiating.
Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to services on Saturday.
Burial will take place in Chatfield City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Sean and Cadyn Musel, Brendan, Jacob, Isaac, Elijah and Joseph Lowrey.
Hoff Funeral Home of Chatfield is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences and memories can be left for the family at www.hoffffuneral.com.
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