Nancy E. (Stehr) Schive

Nancy Eileen Stehr was born on October 19, 1958, to Kermit and Violet Stehr of Lansing, Iowa. Lansing as you may or may not know is situated in the very northeast corner of Iowa, on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, deep in the heart of "God's Country". Nancy's father, Kermit, worked at the Interstate Power Plant and her mother, Vi, worked at the Thornton Manor Care Center. Nancy has one younger sister, Amy.

Nancy attended Eastern Allamakee Community School from Kindergarten through High School graduation. Along the way she became very involved in academics, swimming, and instrumental music. Her parents supported her musical interest by taking her to private flute lessons at a local college. She also earned a position in the LaCrosse Youth Symphony. A highlight at this time was being a four year Iowa All-State band member sitting principal (first chair) three of the four years. Nancy graduated from E.A.C.S. as the class Valedictorian in 1977. That spring Nancy turned down a full-ride scholarship to Alabama University as a flute performance major, opting instead to attend Iowa State University and major in Food and Nutrition, with a specialty in Dietetics.

In the fall of 1977, Nancy began her four year career at Iowa State University pursuing her degree in Dietetics. While at ISU, Nancy earned a coveted spot in the Coordinated Undergraduate Program ("C.U.P.") in Dietetics for accelerated students and was chosen for the Phi Upsilon Omicron National Home Economics Honorary society. During this time she participated in many musical activities as well, including the Iowa State University Cyclone Football "Varsity" Marching Band (on piccolo), ISU Wind Ensemble (Principal Flute), ISU Symphony Orchestra (Principal Flute), many musical theater pit orchestras (including "Stars over VEISHEA") and several student recitals. It was during her sophomore year in the marching band that Nancy met Geoffrey Schive, a clarinet player in the band and instrumental music major. Though they didn't date until the final week of the following spring they continued to "bump into" each other through mutual band activities. The relationship "ignited" when Dr. Joseph Messenger, Professor of Woodwinds, scheduled Nancy to play a flute/clarinet duet with Geoff on his junior clarinet recital. On November 8, 1979, Nancy and Geoff became promised, followed by an engagement on March 20, 1980. Nancy and Geoff were married on August 1, 1981. Interestingly enough, Nancy's Maid of Honor, her sister Amy, and the Best Man, Geoff's best friend from high school, and also his ISU college roommate, were married the following year on September 4, 1982.

Nancy graduated from Iowa State University, in the spring of 1981, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition, specializing in Clinical and Administrative Dietetics. She is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian in the State of Iowa and has been certified by the American Association of Lifestyle Counselors (The LEARN Institute for Lifestyle Management and The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research). At the time of this writing, she had served previously as a Consultant Dietitian to many care facilities as well as serving more recently as a Clinical Dietitian in a hospital setting.

Nancy is a member of the American Dietetic Association, Iowa Dietetic Association, Central Iowa Dietetic Association, Iowa State University Alumni Association, and of course the Iowa State University Alumni Marching Band. She continues to be active in the field of music both as an Adjudicator for the Iowa All-State Flute Auditions (with the Iowa High School Music Association and the Iowa Music Educators Association) and as a performer on the flute and piccolo.

Nancy and Geoff have two children; a son Gabriel Wayne, and a daughter (5 years younger than Gabriel), Kallie Michele.

Gabriel, Kallie, and I (Geoff), purchased this brick for Nancy as a simple, tangible reminder of our love for her. Nancy is a major source of strength and stability both for our marriage and our family. She is my best friend - a loving wife beyond compare. She truly is more beautiful to me every day and I thank God for giving us the wonderful opportunity to share our lives together. She has created and maintained incredible balance between her professional career and her personal life. My love, respect and admiration for her continues to grow with every passing moment. The children couldn't ask for a better mother. With God's help, she sees to it that their needs are provided and their wants are carefully considered. She is central in the creation of a loving, nurturing and educational environment for each of them. Whether it be as a chauffeur, story reader, or "referee", she gives 110% as a "mom" regardless of the time spent. Like any family, we have our ups and downs, but together, with God's help, we are able to rise above adversity and continue on the straight and narrow path. Truly, Nancy is a Christian wife and mother who words simply cannot describe and/or do justice to, but suffice it to say: WE LOVE YOU!

Iowa State University has been, and continues to be, a source of many happy memories for not only Nancy and I, but the whole family. This brick celebrating Nancy gives us just one more reason to visit ISU.

Submitted on 12/23/94