Nancy was born Nancy Asta, the seventh child of Italian immigrants Anthony Asta and Pasqualina Gioia Asta, who came through Ellis Island on their honeymoon. The youngest, Nancy grew up in Chicago during the second World War, dealing with food shortages, victory gardens, inventive ways to make life work, and a house full of love and wonderful food. She did well in school (Visitation High School) and took college classes. Nancy became the executive secretary to the vice president of Hertz Rent a Car. When Hertz moved their executive offices to NYC, they asked Nancy to come with them. Putting her up in a fancy hotel with limo service and an expense account in an effort to convince her to stay with Hertz. However, about a year before the move to NYC, Nancy had met Robert (Bob)Vondrasek. She came home that night and told her mother she had met the man she was going to marry.
Nancy came back to Chicago, and she and Bob were married October 1, 1960. They had 4 children (Manette, Jeanette, Ron and Rick), a plethora of assorted pets, wonderfully planned vacations, and many, many adventures. She created a home full of love, joy and wonderful food. Her cooking and baking are legendary in the family, be it lasagna, spaghetti, egg and cheese and bread patty thingers, Italian chicken, cheesecake, or the cookie extravaganza at Christmas.
Nancy was active in the church, school, cub scouts, boy scouts, girl scouts, gardening, and various charitable organizations. Her children used to complain they could never get away with anything because everyone knew her. She created endless types of Halloween costumes, sometimes sewing well into the night. Her home was a haven to her children’s friends. Whether it was making hand cookies at Christmas, eating delicious food, or one memorable time she had 5 twenty-something year old “boys” sitting on the living room floor making tissue paper flowers for achurch event she was running, while her daughters waitedimpatiently for them to finish so they could go out. She was always there for her family with a hug, a kiss, a kick in the butt or a shoulder to cry on – whatever they needed.
When their children were grown, Nancy and Bob becamesnowbirds purchasing a piece of paradise on Honeymoon Island. They enjoyed watching the dolphins play in the bay, looking for seashells on the beach, and being with friends at the pool. When their 6 grandchildren visited, it became known as Grandma’s Island. For their 50th wedding anniversary, Nancy & Bob took their whole family on a cruise. It was a once in a lifetime experience!
Nancy was a true sun goddess, loving to be in the warm sunlight. She was always ready for a great conversation or a good game of dominoes or hand & foot. Her devotion to family is reflected in her children and grandchildren.
Nancy was predeceased by her husband Bob (Robert) Vondrasekand daughter Jeanette (Joe) Knapczyk. She is survived by her daughter Manette Epright and sons Ron Vondrasek and Rick Vondrasek (Anna Newlin); grandchildren Jillian Knapczyk; Peyton Epright; Paige and Riley Vondrasek; Michael and Benjamin Vondrasek, and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Adolf Funeral Home, 7000 S. Madison Ave, Willowbrook, IL on Sunday March 5, 2023 from 2-8pm. Funeral Mass will be held Monday March 6th at 9:30am at Holy Trinity Church, 111 S. Cass Ave, Westmont, IL.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association, or Pinellas Talking Book Library.
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