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Nancy Jean James entered her heavenly home August 30, 2025. Nancy was born in Hunter, North Dakota, to Edwin and Dorothy Collins June 4, 1935. 

Her father’s job working for Carghill caused the family to move frequently, and she enjoyed growing up throughout North Dakota and Minnesota with her mother, father, and brother, Terry. 

After graduation, Nancy desired to help and heal others, and attended Abbott School of Nursing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her first nursing job led her to Eads, where she took care of her future father-in-law. It was during this time she met and, after only three months of dating, married Jesse W. James, Jr. 

Jesse and Nancy spent many years in Eads where she worked for the local school district as a school nurse, at the hospital, and local clinic. During her time in Eads on the James ranch, she helped her husband raise cattle and raised two daughters, Bonita and Donna.

Nancy and Jesse spent forty years in Eads until they decided to retire to Burlington in 1992 to be closer to family. 

Throughout her life, Nancy was a devout Christian and enjoyed fellowship in both the First Baptist Church of Eads and, later, the First Baptist Church of Burlington. Nancy was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and was always so proud of her friendships in both the church and Star. 

Her friendships were so important to her. You could always count on her to put in a roast or fix a glass of iced tea. The Cackle Club group of Burlington friends always held an important place in her heart with their weekly gatherings.

Family was the central part of her life. She was always so proud of her daughters, attending every ballgame/track meet or event they were involved in. This carried right over to her grandchildren. She had a special bond with her grandson, Riley, and was in the delivery room when he was born.  She would tell others how she was the “first to hold his hand.” Her granddaughter, Rachel, holds a special place in her heart going to see her compete in activities in school and church.

Nancy followed through with this love of her family by following her great grandsons lives, too, by going to soccer and school programs. 

Lately, Nancy enjoyed going on trips with her daughter, Donna. They would make many trips to the mountains to gamble and sightsee, even making a mother-daughter trip with both her daughters to Branson, Missouri. 

Nancy loved when her daughter, Bonita, and son-in-law came to stay. They loved shopping at Old Town and catching up while Gordon took care of things around the house. 

Nancy loved when her family (or really anybody) would stop by to visit, spending hours playing games, watching grandchildren play, or just visiting. Christmas always held a special place in her heart. Each year, she picked out a special ornament for each member of the family. 

She was a fantastic cook, and everyone looked forward to pecan pie, fudge, and peanut brittle. Her grandsons could always count on Grammy to sneak them cookies and candy, as well as a backyard silly string fight.

Nancy had a way with people and could talk to anybody. Her grandchildren both remember how Gram could sit next to somebody and leave knowing their whole story. She was easy to talk to and truly cared about the people she came in contact with.  

Nancy kept a detailed diary all her life and left behind boxes and boxes of journals/diaries detailing everything from the lives of her loved ones to the cattle prices and weather and, most importantly, her family.

Her favorite Bible verse was Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Nancy is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse W. James Jr.; parents, Dorothy and Edwin Collins; and siblings, Terry Collins, Gary Collins, and Donna Collins.

Left to remember her are her daughter, Bonita McManus (Gordon) of Colorado Springs; daughter, Donna Williams of Burlington; grandchildren, Riley (Ginger) Williams of Deer Trail, and Rachel McManus of Lakewood; and two amazing great-grandsons, Declan and Finnegan, of Deer Trail.

Memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church in Burlington.

Visitation will be held September 7, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Burlington. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. September 8 at the First Baptist Church in Burlington.  Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington.  

Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.