Nancy Rae Wiedel, age 85, passed away on October 26, 2026, at Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, surrounded by family.

Nancy was born on March 3, 1941, in the small town of McCook, Nebraska, to Ray and Darlene Mitchell. Afterward, they settled in Orleans, Nebraska. It was there she met her husband, Jerome Wiedel. Together, they raised four children, and began a family legacy that grew to include eight grandchildren.

Nancy lived life on the move, traveling throughout the United States and Canada while working in the ski racing industry. Her career took her to numerous World Cup events and two Olympic Games, Calgary in 1988 and Salt Lake City in 2002. Her contributions to the sport earned her several awards and a nomination for induction into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame. Whether keeping races running on time or navigating the fast-paced world of ski competition, Nancy was right where she belonged - in the timing shack or race headquarters.

When she wasn't working in ski racing, Nancy could be found in the water, teaching water aerobics classes and providing aquatic therapy for clients at the Silverthorne Recreation Center in Silverthorne, Colorado. She had a knack for staying busy, and sitting still was not an option.

But if there was one thing that truly made Nancy's heart sing, it was her piano. You always knew Nancy was home when the sounds of Broadway musicals came pouring out of her living room. And quiet background music? That was never really the point! Nancy loved her musicals and wasn't shy about sharing that love with anyone within earshot. Her passion for music was not simply a pastime but a meaningful part of her life and a gift she generously shared with others serving as Music Director at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Silverthorne.

Nancy's life was filled with adventure, music, family, and a healthy dose of determination. She left her mark on the ski racing world, the community she served, and, most importantly, the people who loved her. Her family will remember her not only for all she accomplished, but also for the music that filled her home and the unmistakable spirit that made her Nancy.

Nancy is survived by her four children, Teresa Wiedel, Bridget (Jay) Parr, Janine (David) Dunn, and Courtney (Jen) Wiedel, and eight grandchildren, Oliver, Bridger, Greta, Sophie, Maxine, Ella, Charlie, and Annika, who will carry her memory forward with love, laughter, and, no doubt, a few Broadway tunes playing in the background.

A celebration of life will be held in Olympian Hall at Howelson Hill in Steamboat on Friday, November 27th at 2pm. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Peace in Silverthorne on Tuesday, November 24 at 10:30am