Nancy Wienen, 74, of Galena, IIL, passed away at her home on Monday, September 23, 2024. A funeral service will be held at 1 PM, Monday, September 30, 2024, at the Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena, where friends may gather after 11 AM until the time of service. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Galena. She was born on November 25, 1949, in Hazel Green, WI, the daughter of Luras and Helene (Marsden) Wienen. She graduated from Galena High School with the class of 1968. Nancy had a truly one-of-a-kind personality. When she was not working, she enjoyed gardening, canning, home cooking, going for joy rides, boating on the Mississippi and fishing, and occasionally going to the casino.  She was an extremely hard-working woman. Her first job was in Hanover, IL, at the Eaton Corporation plant, but then she worked weekends waitressing at the Indian Head restaurant in Savana, IL. She was an excellent waitress, which any of her co-workers would agree! After that, Nancy went to work as a waitress for Timmerman’s Supper Club in East Dubuque, then onto Eagle Ridge Inn and Resort, Cafe’ Italia, Backstreet Steakhouse, and Grants Place, all in Galena. She worked two restaurants at a time for lunch or dinner shifts. She would describe the food specials and menu for the customers to the “T,” with so many adjectives that you could not help but order what she described. For example, a dessert at Grant place, the Kentucky Pie, would be described as “the eewey, gooey, chocolatey, chewy, Kentucky Pie!” as only she could. Her co-workers loved her spirit and attitude. Nancy was always upbeat, positive, and a free spirit. Then, after 45 years of waitressing, she retired, but then again went to work, again two jobs at R&L Gas Mart as a cashier and for Riverboat Suites at the front desk and cleaning rooms. Finally, fully retired at 72. Then she just loved to stay home and sit on her porch with a cold one, read, get some sunshine and fresh air, and finally rest. Nancy often spoke of her vacation to Hawaii with her longtime companion Dick Ballein. So now she is flying over the rainbow, enjoying the afterlife with her beloved. REST IN PEACE, Nanc!!! She is survived by her nine sisters, Betsy (Jim) Udelhofen of Dubuque, IA, Barb Wienen of Hazel Green, WI, Rosie (Terry) Deininger of Galena, Cheryl (Joe) Waite of Prophetstown, IL, Linda Holland of Tucson, AZ., Eileen (Mark Anger) Townsend of Elizabeth, IL, Susie (Gary) Schultz of Galena, Peggy Schultz of Freeport, IL, Jeanne Pooley of Galena, and eight brothers, Terry (Deb) and John (Karen) both of Scales Mound, IL, Chuck (Toni) of Hazel Green, WI Tim (Gretchen), Richard, Bill (Kathy), Bob (Patsy), all of Galena, and Donald (Sandra) of Elizabeth, IL, a sister-in-law Edie (Tom) Thies of East Dubuque, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Luras Jr.; her longtime companion, Dick Ballein; a sister-in-law Ellen “Tuddy” Wienen; two brothers-in-law, Jack Pooley and DuWayne Schultz, a nephew, Jesse; and great nephew, Wyatt. The family would like to express a very special thank you to Deputy Grube, Tom Furlong, and John Rosenthal for their thoughtfulness, kind words, and calming demeanor, Dr. Richard Farrell, Michelle Townsend, Dr. Kahn, Dr. Hassan, Ken Horsfall at Clark & Associates, and to Sara and Katyln her physical therapists at Midwest Medical Therapy Department. Your kindness and patience with Nancy were truly very appreciated. “Thank you” to you all.