Nancy Jo Earhart
June 27, 1957 ~ November 22, 2023
Nancy Jo (Houlihan) Earhart, 66, passed away on November 22, 2023, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after a brave battle with lung cancer.
Nancy was born in Aberdeen, SD, on June 27, 1957, the third child of parents John (Jack) and Arvilla Houlihan (Thurow). The family moved to Sioux Falls in 1970, where Nancy graduated from Lincoln High School. Nancy then attended college at Northern State University in Aberdeen. After being diagnosed, she moved from Columbus, Ohio, where she had lived for decades, back to Sioux Falls to be closer to family.
Nancy worked as an accountant and office manager for several companies in Columbus including Chepri, Center for Reliable Energy Systems, Air Force One, Inc. (HVAC contractor), and Electronics Automation Corporation. Prior to that, she worked for a Financial Planner and Citibank in Sioux Falls, and a traveling magazine sales crew that took her to almost every state in the country. Nancy was a smart, good-humored person who enjoyed meeting her mom, sisters, and other extended family in Las Vegas, whenever possible over the years. But her greatest joy was being a mom to Mark.
Nancy will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her son, Mark, Sioux Falls SD; mother, Arvilla Houlihan, Sioux Falls; sisters, Joan Houlihan-Fernette (Tom), Anchorage AK, Sandra Houlihan, Anchorage, Linda (Brian) Evans, Sioux Falls; and sister-in-law, Karen (Randy) Reinartz, Sioux Falls; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Nancy was preceded in death by her father, Jack Houlihan; and brother, Terry Houlihan.
Fancy Nancy, you are and will be dearly missed everyday. We have lots of memories growing up as the sisters closest in age.
Your cancer battle was very courageous and I hope you are in a great place. I will love you forever!
More info about Nancy (written by her son) She actually went to college to study art. She was a great artist, but never got to use that talent professionally. She did get to use her artistic eye while creating/designing the look of every room in her house. She loved Hallmark movies, Lifetime movies, HGTV shows, and the show Friends. Her favorite show was Days of our Lives, which she watched for longer than I’ve been alive. She even signed up for Peacock just so she could watch it. She also enjoyed engaging with people about causes she supported while on Twitter, where she had over 8,500 followers.
Personally, my mom’s death was and still is devastating. She deserved a lot better, including a considerably longer life. She was the greatest mom a person could have. If there is anything good about me, it’s because of her.
I had the great pleasure of meeting “Fancy Nancy” on one of the sisters trips to Las Vegas. I was thrilled to me her and her sister, Lindy Pindy, having been close with Sandy Pandy for many years. I had heard all kinds of sister stories over the years and already felt like I knew both sisters. Nancy was kind, smart and incredibly funny. She seemed to blend in no matter where we were or what we were talking about. Even though our time together was only a few days, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with her. I’m grateful we finally got to meet, she was such a nice lady.
Nancy was my next youngest sister, so we were very close in our younger years. As we grew up I admired her looks and her capabilities. I am still shocked and devastated that she passed away. I wish that we had been able to spend more time together in recent years, but I’m sure that she’s in a much better place than she was near the end of her passing and I send prayers her way regularly.
Nancy and I became best friends in high school. She is a part of so many memories that I have from growing up. She was always so much fun to be around. She was kind, caring and loving. My sympathies go to her son, Mark and the rest of her family. I will never forget her!