Nancy Currans Hamilton, beloved wife, mother, sister, friend and “Nana” passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2026. She was at peace, comfortable and surrounded by love.Nancy was born the sixth of ten children on November 9, 1946 in Graettinger, Iowa to James and Salome Currans. She attended Emmetsburg Catholic High and graduated from Briar Cliff College. In June 1969, she married Richard “Pete” Hamilton who was her rock for 57 years. They have three children: Heather, Matthew and Molly.

As a teacher and elementary school librarian, “Mrs. Hamilton” shared her passion for reading with every child who crossed her path. Every year on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, she would dress up as The Cat in the Hat, entertaining her students and embarrassing her own children. Nancy loved to read and started several book clubs throughout her life.

Nancy and Pete traveled as often as they could, vacationing throughout the U.S. in their younger years and eventually exploring Europe. They especially enjoyed river cruises with family and friends.

Even though the Hamiltons lived far apart — Heather in Kansas City, MO; Matt in Costa Mesa, CA and Molly in Brevard, NC, the family made a point of coming together at least once a year. They would gather at the lake house in Emmetsburg, Iowa, or travel to Colorado, Nashville or Sonoma.

Above all, Nancy loved her family. She was so proud of her siblings, her children and her grandchildren. She was happiest when everyone she adored was together. On a recent good day in the hospital, she was with Pete, her children, her grandson Rory and she Facetimed with her granddaughters in California. She said “I love you” and “thanks for coming” to everyone she saw that day.

In her later years when Huntington’s disease had affected her memory and sense of time and space, she would repeatedly ask, “when are we going home?” The answer, Nancy, is now. You are home.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Pete Hamilton of Brevard, NC; her daughter, Heather (Sean) of Kansas City, MO; her son Matthew (Courtney) of Costa Mesa, CA; her daughter, Molly; and her grandchildren, Riley, Shea and Rory.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, August 7, 2026, at 3pm at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Huntington’s Disease Society of America hdsa.org, Tunnel to Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/ or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/.