Nancy Eden Burmeister, of Big Rapids, passed away on August 26, 2025. She was born on November 10, 1942 to David and Anne (Henry) Hodges in charming, southern city of Covington, Kentucky.

Before her passing, Nancy and her husband, William Burmeister, spent 59 delightful years married. They raised three children together: Jesse Stuart Burmeister, Jacob "Jay" William Burmeister, and Leah Joy Burmeister. Nancy found joy in life's simple, meaningful pursuits. She had a deep love for gardening, spending countless hours tending to flowers and vegetables, always nurturing beauty and growth. Her commitment to environmental work reflected a lifelong passion for protecting the earth and caring for the world around her. A talented cook, Nancy brought people together with homemade meals, always made with love. Her skill in sewing showcased her patience and creativity, whether mending garments or crafting something new by hand.

Nancy was a true educator at heart. After earning her bachelors degree in anthropology, Nancy added to her skillset at Central Michigan University by obtaining her teaching certificate. Nancy was an active and adored school teacher at Reed City, Big Rapids, and Pinckney Public Schools. While at BRPS, she often brought therapy dogs into school for her students, and she was a valued girls track and field coach. She even officiated for the National USATF jumps competition.

Not only did Nancy teach at primary schools, but she also shared her expertise at Ferris State and CMU. Nancy could be found co-teaching education courses with Bill through Ferris at the University Center in Traverse City. After her stroke, Nancy assisted speech therapy students at CMU in understanding aphasia, a language disorder associated with brain injury. She was also known to teach watershed classes in eight local school districts, as well as CPR/First Aid classes to both students and instructors on the Pine Ridge Lakota and Rosebud Reservations. These endeavors ultimately earned Nancy the well-deserved Northern Lights Award for Environmental Excellence.

In addition to teaching, Nancy also enjoyed being a 4-H judge and agent at the Osceola, Mecosta, Newaygo, and Oceana County Fairs. She was also a staff member of the Ohio Extension State Office. Nancy was a valued member of countless community organizations, including the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, Project Starburst, American Red Cross, WomenHeart, and Action for AAY.

She is survived by her loving husband, Bill, and their three children: Jesse, Jay, and Leah. Nancy is also survived by her grandchildren: Jessica, Emily, Hannah, Ameer, Rick, Mack, Luke, Sariah, Ella, Estephen, and Oliver. She is preceded in death by both parents.

Nancy was a unique and irreplaceable force among women in this community, and her loss will be felt by many people for years to come.

A funeral service for Nancy will take place at Daggett Gilbert Funeral Homes in Big Rapids on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will take place one hour prior, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on the same day. To share a memory or leave a condolence with the family, please visit www.daggettfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to FLOW (For the Love of Water) Traverse City, the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly and/or United Church of Big Rapids.