Nancy Lou Jennings

On Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, Nancy Lou Jennings, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, went to be with the Lord at the age of 82.

Nancy was born to Leonard and Laverne Scharberg on April 22, 1940. She was one of eight children. Nancy loved her siblings and stayed in contact with each one. She met Ernie Jennings, the love of her life, on St. Patrick’s Day in 1959. It was true love at first sight. They were married three short months later on July 4th that same year. Not long after that, they moved to Japan. Nancy traveled the world with Ernie, living in Japan, England and many of the U.S. states, all while raising three boys. They finally settled in Billings in 2004. Nancy and Ernie had a beautiful marriage lasting 63 years.

Nancy was an expert at making a house a home where everyone felt welcomed. She loved decorating and interior design; her talents and abilities to transform a space were amazing. Her organizational skills were so helpful over the years that she assisted in the church kitchen. Nancy also loved working in her yard. Every home Nancy and Ernie lived in had a beautiful yard and flower garden meticulously cared for, which led to her volunteering at ZooMontana for many years, working in their gardens. She had impeccable taste in everything she did and said.

She was a great role model to her children, their wives, and her grandchildren. In speaking of Nancy’s passing, she was remembered by many as being kind, genuine, thoughtful, classy, loving and compassionate. Even at the end, she showed her dedication to being a mom to her family by not leaving until the final goodbye was said. Mom, we love you!

She is survived by her adoring husband, Ernie; three sons and their wives, Ernie Jr. and Karan, Kelly and Judy, and Jesse and Rachel. She was blessed with eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Nancy is also survived by two sisters, as well as three brothers.

A memorial service will be at 1pm on Saturday, Sept. 24, at Rocky Mountain Community Church, 2832 Broadwater Ave. (Please note the change of service time.)

In lieu of giving flowers, the family asks that those who are able to instead make a donation to the Montana Rescue Mission .