Nancy Rae Shaw was born to Delbert and Diahmer Shaw on October 11,1945. She joined the union of three older siblings, 2 sisters, Janice, and Sally and 1 brother Ronnie. Nancy was born at the family farmhouse, located three miles west of Verdel, Nebraska. Nancy loved farm life and helped with the animals and chores. She attended eight years of school at a country school 2 Y+ miles south of the farm. One year she attended school in Verdel, Ne. She attended high school at Lynch, Nebraska and graduated from there in 1963. She then spent the summer months of 1963 working in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Later that year she enrolled in Ben's School of Beauty (cosmetology) in Lincoln, Ne. She met Joy Densberger in Lincoln, and they began dating. ln 1964 they were married in Verdel, Ne. To that union four children were born, Craig, Dawn, Clint, and Cory. The family lived west of Lincoln for about three years then moved to Lincoln. In the early 70's Nancy was employed with her husband in their self-owned business, Densberger Business and Tax Consultant, as a secretary and record keeper for small business. Also, during part of those years Nancy owned her own company- (Nan-Dens Copier Supplies), where she ordered, sold, and delivered products to businesses in Lincoln. These supplies were used for their copy machines. Sometime later she also worked at Southeast High School and continued working there after the death of her husband Joy Densberger.
Nancy was a member of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, where she served on the session, and the deacons, was part of a small study group and was involved in many church related activities. She loved to bowl, vacation with her family and later with just her husband Joy. One of those trips was to Hawaii and what a wonderful time they had. They traveled often, sometimes two trips a year. Visited every state in the USA. She was taxi driver for her children and their friends as well, taking them to their school activities and fun things too. In the early 90's her son Clint, in the Navy, was sent to the Desert Storm war in lraq. Nancy became a member of a D.S.S. Support group and ended up being President of that group. They welcomed home each soldier who had parents in the D.S.S. group and raised money to build a memorial to Honor all who served in the Gulf War. That memorial was erected at Wyuka and can be seen there today.
In 1997 Nancy met Gary Mau at a church meeting in Hickman, Nebraska. The two had something very touching in common--- that had happened to each of them. They both had to endure the reality of their spouse's being taken to Heaven before either of them were ready to face such a loss. In telephone conversations, Gary and Nancy shared their losses with each other. A great friendship developed over time and Gary and Nancy were married in 1998. Since Gary was a farmer near Alexandria, Ne the couple moved to Fairbury, Ne so Gary would be close to his farm. After Nancy moved to Fairbury, she worked at the Hallmark store for a time, she worked at the Old Trail's Restaurant until it closed, she also helped elderly folks in Fairbury with house chores, doctor appointments, groceries and etc. Then in 2001 she drove to Lincoln three days a week to nanny two of her grandchildren. She loved that experience! When both children were in school full time Nancy began cleaning private homes and offices in Fairbury.
Nancy was an active member of the Alexandria Presbyterian Church. For a time, she was President of Presbyterian Women, she served on session of the church and deacons, and she very much loved serving the Lord in any capacity she could. She was an avid reader and read the Bible regularly and many many Spiritual books. She enjoyed Bible studies and reading through the complete Bible. Nancy LOVED all her grandchildren and step-grandchildren. Her and Gary tried to get to as many family events and grandchildren s school events as possible. That sometimes meant trips to Lincoln, Omaha, and out of state as well. She took hundreds of pictures of the grandchildren and always had pictures displayed in her home. Holidays were very important to her and Gary to time spend with family! Again, Nancy enjoyed vacations with Gary, and they took many wonderful trips together and occasionally with friends. They also took a trip in the early 2000's with Nancy's daughter and family to the east coast.
In 2004, Gary and Nancy were gifted a fantastic trip, (by daughter Dawn), to Alaska. It was a beautiful and enjoyable trip. Gary and Nancy enjoyed many nice vacations and saw lots of beautiful places. They also enjoyed planting beautiful flowers as well as watching and feeding the back yard birds.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Joy Densberger, brother Ronnie Shaw, sister Sally Wilson, sisters-in-law Shari Shaw and Shirley Densberger, brothers-in-law Richard Densberger and Gary Wilson.
Survivors are son Craig Densberger (Holly Yost), daughter Dawn Liphardt (Martin), son Clint Densberger, son Cory Densberger, grandchildren Grant & Bryce Dorscheimer, Cecily & Ethan Liphardt, Chloe Densberger, Klaya Koch & Lorenzen (Dustin), great-grandchildren Palmer & Avery Hoagland, and River Densberger, sister Janice Peed, Husband Gary Mau and his children Amy Sales (Calvin) of Alexandria, Heidi Swoboda (Tracy) of Alexandria, Tony Mau of Alexandria, Robbie Mau (Summer) of Fremont, grandchildren Jordan Wagner (Michael) of Bruning, Brandon Sales (Victoria) of Alexandria, Andon Sales of Alexandria, Thomas Swoboda of Fremont, Alex, Julia and Madilyn of Fremont, great-grandchildren Emery and Oaklynn of Bruning, and Ember of Alexandria.
Services will be Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, NE. There will be a luncheon following the service with burial in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Lincoln, NE. The family will greet friends Friday evening from 5 – 7 at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com
Memorials will go to:
Alexandria Presbyterian Church
Jefferson Healthcare Fund – P. O. Box 277 – Fairbury, Nebraska 68352
Morrison Cancer Center – 815 N. Kansas Ave. – Hastings, Nebraska 68901