Nancy L Wedman, former long-time resident of Jamestown, ND and active member of the community, passed away in Rochester, MN on December 7th, 2020. She was 85 years old.
Nancy was born in Loveland, CO, and attended school in Nebraska. She received her Bachelor’s degree at Nebraska Wesleyan University and went on to complete Physical Therapy training at the Mayo Clinic Physical Therapy Program in Rochester, MN. Nancy achieved her certification and designation as a Licensed Physical Therapist in 1959. Nancy was a member of the AAUW, NDPTA, and APTA.
Nancy was passionate about her work and her professional career in physical therapy spanned 41 years at the Anne Carlsen Center in Jamestown, ND. During the course of her career, she helped children with disabilities to gain personal independence. In addition to evaluations, consultations, goal setting and therapy treatments, she also set up programming for state hospitals and public schools and taught aides how to fulfill that programming. She gained proficiency in monitoring and adjusting industry specific equipment and specializations in work with cerebral palsy patients and power mobility. Nancy’s compassion for others extended to volunteer work with outpatient toddlers and consultant work at area nursing homes and the ND State Hospital. She also supervised PT students during training affiliations and undoubtedly inspired many. She accredited her success to her knowledge and passion for working with children. She believed that patience and finding the right goals to motivate skill development were keys to success. Nancy retired as a Registered Physical Therapist in 1999 after more than 4 decades of pediatric therapy, by which she significantly impacted and improved the lives of so many. She continued to correspond with many former students from the Anne Carlsen Center late into her life.
Nancy was a very active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Jamestown. She was a talented woman. She sang in her church choir, was heavily involved in the Sunday school program, and served the community through Stephen ministries in more recent years. Nancy knitted and crocheted countless beautiful sweaters, baby sets and blankets for loved ones. She even sold some of her creations under the name, Knits by Nancy. She shared those gifts by helping others develop knitting and crocheting skills. She sang in the Jaynotes choral group for many, many years and directed the choir for several of those yearsl. In her retirement she continued to support various volunteer initiatives in her church and community. Nancy always enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren and was deeply loved by them all.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Julius J Wedman, her parents and in-laws, sisters, Shirley Nelson and Anita Bolan. Nancy is survived by her brother, Melvin Carter of NY, her children, Karen (Kevin) Peterson of Dodge Center, MN, Douglas (Lisa) Wedman of Los Alamos, NM, Donna Goss of Yorktown, VA, Jennifer Nett, of Fargo, ND, and her 13 grandchildren.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Anne Carlsen Center, PO Box 8000, Jamestown, ND 58402 or online at https://annecarlsen.org/donate/