Nancy C. Fries , 88, of Columbia City, Indiana died peacefully at 4:15 a.m. on December 21, 2023 during the winter solstice, with loving family by her side at Oak Pointe, Columbia City.

Born on August 12, 1935, in Huntington, IN the first of three children of Catherine (Ness) and Wilbur VanHolten. She attended schools in Huntington County; later, her family moved to Big Lake, Noble County, and she graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1953.

On February 1, 1954, she was united in marriage to Paul J. Fries in Columbia City. Together, they managed the Barrel Drive-In until 1958, when they sold the business.
They moved to their farm in Thorncreek Township in August 1959, and Paul taught at Thorncreek Center School while Nancy worked as a homemaker, farm assistant, and volunteer. When her six children were in middle school through graduation, she worked at Northeastern REMC with co-workers who became dear friends. She was a marketing director in activity promotions for the Downtown Business Association.

Nancy was selflessly dedicated to her family and community. She was past president of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church Rosary Sodality and Church Council, the Whitley Co. Association for Retarded Citizens, and Thorncreek PTO; she was a 4-H Leader and a National President of the Sigma Eta Sorority of Fine Arts. Her creativity was demonstrated through her sewing, crocheting, holiday costumes, poetry, baked goods, and music. Nancy's relatives valued her heartfelt correspondence, Paul appreciated her speed-typed papers, and her family and the greater community delighted in her prepared meals and her many accomplishments. She supported each child's individual interests and treasured time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Christmas was her favorite holiday with homemade yeast rolls, cookies, and candy, plus her memorable costumes and performances were as Frosty the Snowman and as Alvin and the Chipmunks with her REMC friends.

She is survived by her children, William (Jackie) Fries of Columbia City, Mary (Martin) Waterman of Hyde Park, VT, Tim (Maelynn) Fries, Ron Fries, and Amy (Edwardo) Galvan all of Columbia City; grandchildren, Kristina (Paul) Rabe, Corinne (Judson) Hildebrandt, Trevor (Jasmine) Fries, Madeline (Kyle) Bennett, Jaclyn Fries, and Ben Engle; great-grandchildren Eleanor Rabe, Luna Hildebrandt, Denver Fries; and a brother Robert (Laura) VanHolten of Pierceton, IN.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Paul, a daughter, Karen, and a brother, James VanHolten.

A mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Thursday at the St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S Line St, Columbia City.  Burial is at the Catholic Cemetery, Columbia City.  Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, and 1 hour before the Mass at the church.

Memorials in Nancy's honor are to Easterseals-Passages Columbia City, Parkview Home Health & Hospice, or St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church.