Obituary of Nancy Lee Sackmann

Nancy Lee Franke Sackmann passed away peacefully with her family and her dog Sally by her side at her home in Ritzville, WA on 12/22/2019 at 94 years of age. She was born on 07/13/1925 in Snohomish County, Washington to Frederick Arnold Franke, MD and Laura Bernice Maxwell Franke. Nancy Lee grew up with her horses and family in Silver Lake, Washington and graduated from Everett High School in Everett, Washington in 1944. She attended the University of Washington where in addition to attaining an education, she became a lifelong Gamma Phi Beta sorority sister, rabid husky fan and met the love of her life Milton P. Sackmann, her sorority’s “house boy”. After college she worked in multiple medical offices in Seattle and a brief move to the San Francisco, California area. Nancy Lee married Milton P. Sackmann in 1949 in Seattle, Washington at Christ Episcopal Church just off “the Ave”. They were married for over 50 years until Milton’s passing in 2000. Nancy was an active lifelong Episcopalian, devoted mother and spouse, quilter and seamstress, dress shop owner, dancer and dance recital expert, traveler to Hawaii, and a prolific wearer of hats. There was little she wouldn’t or couldn’t do when called to duty. Maintenance of friendships and family contacts was a priority. Where she had a purpose there was a passion. She had 4 children: Tom, Jane, Mary Katherine, and Marty. She is survived by 3 of them. The oldest Tom and his wife Jan and two grandchildren: Jeffrey, and Kimberly; one great grandson, Kristian, son of Jeffrey. Daughter Jane Sackmann and husband Michael Schwisow and two grandsons Andrew and Cameron and a great granddaughter, daughter of Cameron, named Isla. Deceased daughter Mary Katherine Nicholson and her husband Brent and two beloved grandchildren William and Olivia Youngest son Charles “Marty” Sackmann, MD and his wife Sherri and 3 step grandchildren, Dennis, Tiffany, and Colby. One great grand stepson Ransom with whom she was blessed to see frequently right up to her passing. They shared a love of trains. Nancy Lee was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick A. Franke, MD and Bernice Laura Franke, her siblings’ brother Frederick “Bud” and sisters Jackie and Mickey, her husband Milton, Nancy’s beloved second daughter Mary Katherine Sackmann Nicholson, a close friend and confidante and multiple horses and dogs. A funeral service will be held at St. John’s Cathedral, Spokane, WA at 11 am on 01/07/2020. A burial will follow in a private immediate family gathering later that day. In lieu of flowers, Nancy Lee and her family would prefer your prayers and thoughts be made to “the way and the truth and the light”, his Holiness our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thanking him for the blessing that was our mom, Nancy Lee Sackmann. To leave online condolences for the Sackmann family please visit our website at www.danekasfh.com