Nancy R. Vogel

Nancy Rae Vogel, 84, passed away on December 17, 2025, in Rockford, Illinois. She was born September 16, 1941, in Woodstock, Illinois daughter of Howard E. and Vera F. (Bumsted) Vogel. Nancy was raised on a farm a few miles from Richmond, Illinois and attended Keystone Grade School, then Richmond Burton Community High School, graduating in 1959.

Following high school, she attended Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ from 1959 to 1962. After completing a 12-month clinical practicum in 1963 at the laboratory in Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rockford, Illinois she went on to receive a B. S. Degree in Medical Technology from ASU and became a certified Registered Medical Technologist. She also went on to get a certification as a Blood Bank Specialist in 1971 and received her final M.A. degree in Allied Health Education from the Central Michigan University “university without walls” program in 1982. Nancy always said she “grew up and grew old” in the clinical laboratory at Rockford Memorial Hospital. She was employed there in various technical and supervisory positions from June 1963 until her retirement in September of 2004.

Nancy, from childhood, was a church member of Greenwood United Methodist in Greenwood, Illinois. She attended regularly until she moved to Rockford, Illinois. In 2005 she became a member of Christ UMC in Rockford. There, she enjoyed helping with Bible study class sign-ups, bible study discussion groups, class book distribution, assembling the monthly newsletter, and refreshing and replenishing materials in the hymnal racks.

Nancy loved God, family, friends, and animals. She enjoyed traveling (especially cruises and anywhere she could watch the sea), reading mystery and suspense novels, watching Jeopardy on TV and her independence while she could.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Jean Vogel; nieces and nephews Janis (William) Nathan, Lisa Vogel, Allan (Kathy) Jensen, Vicki Hellenbrand, Gary (Tana) Vogel and several grand and great nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents; her brothers Evan (Phyllis) Vogel, Jerry Vogel, infant brother Howard and infant twin brother Allan; her sister Mary Lou (Vernon) Jensen; nephews Craig Jensen and Dennis Vogel; nieces Cara Jensen, Susan Jensen and Paula (Leon) Polhill.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 3, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service, 10:30 a.m. at her beloved Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Road, Rockford, Illinois 61107. Burial to follow in Ringwood Cemetery, Ringwood, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to be made to the church. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com