Nancy Startin

Nancy Startin, 90, longtime resident of Hooper and LaCrosse, Wash., passed away October 12, 2023, at Sacred Heart in Spokane, Wash., surrounded by her family. A Graveside Service celebrating her life will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the LaCrosse Cemetery. A reception will follow at the LaCrosse Community Club.

Nancy Ann Vining was born May 22, 1933, in Waitsburg, Washington, to Ned Ancil and Margaret Ann (Neace) Vining. She grew up in the Dayton/Waitsburg area and attended school in Dayton where she graduated with the class of 1951. Shortly after graduating school, she married her high school sweetheart, Gayle Startin, on June 24, 1951, in Waitsburg, Wash.

They made their home in Dayton for a time and in 1952 they moved to Hooper, Wash. Nancy worked for the McGregor company where she retired after nearly 50 years. Meanwhile, in 1965, Gayle and Nancy opened the doors of Startin's Repair in the Hattamer building with a few tools and borrowed equipment from local people. In 1978 the business moved up the street to its current location.

Nancy was a lifetime member of the NRA; she was a member of the Washington Republican Party and served as delegate many times at the state convention and was a member of the Washington High School Rodeo Association. She and Gayle were honored to serve as the Palouse Empire Fair Grand Marshals in 2009. Nancy loved to quilt and sew. Gayle preferred to wear shirts made by Nancy. In 1997 Gayle and Nancy sold their business to Eric and Lois who had worked for them over several years. Nancy loved horses and riding in her younger years and now that passion has been passed on down to her great-grandchildren. After celebrating 64 years of marriage, Gayle passed away in July of 2015.

She is survived by her three children; Chad (Nancy) Startin of LaCrosse, Eric (Lois) Startin of LaCrosse and Tammara Nolen of Lexington, KY; six grandchildren, Brandon (Jill) Startin, Buggy (Chelsey) Startin, Evan (Erin) Startin, Tyler (Tiffany) Startin, Meghan (Darin) Pfaff, and Austin (Savannah) Nolen; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister, Joan Lee Johnson Griener.

The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the LaCrosse Scholarship Fund (Gayle Startin Scholarship), the LaCrosse Community Pride, or to the Palouse Empire Fair Foundation.

Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax has been entrusted with arrangements.