Nancy J. (Vance) Evans-Sundberg
August 31, 1946 - August 11, 2024

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Nancy (Vance) Evans-Sundberg. Nancy was born to John M. and Laura Vance on August 31, 1946 in Eureka. She was the youngest of four children. Nancy was a fifth generation of the Vance and Ohman families of Humboldt County. Her favorite childhood memories were of the family house and ranch in Carlotta and spending her summers camping at “the acre” on the Van Duzen River.

Nancy attended Elk River School, Jacobs Junior High, and Eureka High School where she graduated in 1964. She married Gary Evans after graduation and they had two daughters; Janie in 1965 and Jennifer in 1967. They spent 10 years in the Bay Area and returned to Eureka in 1976 to start the CPA firm Aalfs, Evans & Co. Nancy and Gary later divorced, but maintained their friendship.

In 1982, Nancy attended Frederick and Charles Beauty College and became a licensed Cosmetologist. She returned to get her cosmetology teaching license and taught at the local beauty college. She enjoyed teaching and sharing her knowledge with others. In 1984, Nancy purchased Valley West Hair Care and in 1985 her daughter Janie joined her at the salon. They worked side by side for 33 years.

In 1991, Nancy reconnected with Victor Sundberg, a longtime family friend, and they married in 1993. They were able to blend their families and create fond memories over the next 31 years. They enjoyed spending time with their family, taking trips to visit Vic’s children in Alaska and the San Juan Islands, spending summers at the cabin in Trinity Village, taking drives, and boat and bird watching at Humboldt Bay.

Nancy enjoyed her profession and looked forward to socializing with her many regular clients. In her own words, “I truly love my job! I suspect it will be one great event that will get me out from behind the chair for good.” In 2018, Nancy was diagnosed with Fallopian tube/Ovarian cancer and spent the following nine months living with her daughter Jennifer, and son-in-law Carl, in Sacramento while receiving care at UC Davis. She closed the salon in 2019 after 36 years in business.

Nancy was naturally artistic and creative. During her time living in the Bay Area, she took art classes at the University and continued to explore all forms of art throughout her lifetime. She had many hobbies: reading, gardening, knitting, cooking, painting, drawing, and jewelry making, to name a few. Her latest hobby was making ‘Stamping Up!’ greeting cards. She enjoyed her yearly crafting trips with her daughters and friends, going to craft fairs, open artists tours, and antique fairs with her daughter Jennifer and researching genealogy with her daughter Janie. Nancy had been a proud member of Soroptimist International of Humboldt Bay, where she enjoyed giving back to the community and socializing.

Nancy loved being a mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was very involved in raising her granddaughter Brittney, and then her great-granddaughters Kynadi and Austyn whom she adored. She loved spending time with the girls and was affectionately given the nickname “WaWa.” The great- grandchildren were the light of her life. She loved to tell anyone who would listen the funny things they did or said, and looked forward to their next adventure. She attended every school and sporting event, dance recital, picked the girls up from school, read every book, and sewed every overly loved doll, blanket and stuffed animal. She was the only great- grandmother on the playground climbing equipment or going down the slide. All the girls were given the most precious gift in this world- her unconditional love.

Her daughters describe her best: “Her laugh was the first thing you would hear when she came into the room, it would make your heart smile. Her generosity, kindness and fairness kept those she knew on the right path. She stood up for those who couldn’t fight for themselves, and somehow made you like yourself more after being with her. She built you up, she made sure you knew how special you were, and she always saw the good in everyone; even those that didn’t have much ‘good; to show. She was the best mom, making the simplest nights into lifelong cherished memories. She overly celebrated every holiday, made every birthday a special event, and built so many family traditions that we still cherish: Friday night popcorn and root-beer float night, advent calendar gifts at Christmas, stocking stuffers of Mandarin oranges and nuts, and your favorite homemade birthday cake. She had a hug that can could be felt to your core. She brought love, laughter, understanding, compassion, and the ability to make even the bad situations feel ‘OK.’ Her spirit will live on in those who knew her, because a love that strong will be felt for a lifetime. She touched our souls and we are forever thankful, and blessed beyond words, to have felt that kind of love.”

Nancy battled cancer for six years yet always maintained her positive, happy, and stoic outlook on life. As she and her body grew more tired, she opted to be home on Hospice where she passed surrounded by her family.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Victor Sundberg; Daughters: Janie Johnson and Jennifer (Carl) Stolnacke; Step-children: Shan (Steve) Wilbur and Shawn (Eileen) Sundberg; Grandchildren: Brittney (David) Duran, Rachel (Brendan) Flynn, Erin (Tanner) Jitmongkonul, Taylor (Jason) Monie, and Lexi Sundberg. Great-Grandchildren: Kynadi, Austyn, August and Cooper; Sister Patrica Briggs; Brothers: Harry Vance and John (Sharon) Vance; Brother-in-law Scott (Pat) Sundberg; Nephews: John Vance, and Stephen Sundberg; Nieces: Penny (Troy) Combs, and Sara (Drew) Alldredge; Great-Nephew Tyler (Kammi) King; Cousins: Evelyn Ley Coleman and Bill Ley; and ex-husband and friends Gary (Debra) Evans.

An enormous thank you to the UC Davis doctors and staff, chemotherapy staff at Providence in Eureka, and Hospice of Humboldt. At this time no services are planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Nancy’s favorite local organizations in her name: Humboldt County Historical Society, Soroptimist International of Humboldt Bay, or Hospice of Humboldt.

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