Nancy Catherine Rogers

Nancy Catherine (Packenham) Rogers of Brookfield, WI, currently of Manitowoc, WI, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2026, at the age of 84, after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Nancy was born on March 17, 1942, in Whittlesey, Wisconsin on her grandparents' homestead, to Emil and Anne (Brandner) Packenham. She was the second of five children. She graduated from Rib Lake High School in 1960, and continued her education at Stevens Point College and Mount Mary University in Milwaukee.

Nancy married George W. Rogers in September 1962, in Rib Lake, Wisconsin. Together they lived in Milwaukee and Brookfield and raised their family before divorcing in 1991. For over 50 years, Nancy made her home in Westchester Subdivision, a special community where neighbors were like family.

Throughout her career, Nancy served as a church secretary for several congregations before joining Marquette University Law School on July 16, 1996, as Administrative Assistant to the Dean. During her 24 years at Marquette, she worked with distinguished faculty and leaders, including retired Justice Janine Geske, and participated in the Restorative Justice Project, accompanying prison visits and traveling to the Texas-Mexico border. Nancy retired on October 9, 2020, at the age of 78.

Nancy had a special talent for making strong connections to people she met in her life. A strong woman of generosity and kindness, Nancy welcomed all with an open heart. A lifelong volunteer, Nancy dedicated many Saturdays to Habitat for Humanity Milwaukee, helping prepare building supplies for volunteers and later serving on the organization's board. Through her volunteer work, she had the opportunity to meet former President Jimmy Carter during a Habitat build in Milwaukee. Nancy also participated in an ELCA Lutheran mission trip to El Salvador, where she witnessed firsthand the country's political struggles and challenges. She was an active member and volunteer of St. Luke Catholic Church in Brookfield.

Nancy found joy in her book club, yoga, genealogy research, and especially gardening. Her plants and backyard flower gardens were a source of pride and happiness.

For personal enjoyment she also traveled twice to Australia and Ireland, and took the train from Chicago to Portland, Oregon with a friend.

She is survived by her children, Lora (Bill) Lutz of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Ann (Jeff) Schmidt of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, and A. Margaret Rogers of Fort Lauderdale FL; son-in-law Andy Carlson of Eagan MN; grandchildren Samantha Lutz, Stephanie (Estevan) Sanchez, Devin (Tyler) Schmidt, MacKenzie Schmidt, and Kevin Carlson; great-grandchildren Holden and Harlow Schmidt and Marciela Sanchez; and her sister, Mary (Chuck) Bornhoeft of Montello, Wisconsin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Anne Packenham, brothers Mark Packenham and Jim Packenham, sister Barbara Packenham, and daughter, Lynn M. (Rogers) Carlson.

Cremation has taken place at Harrigan Parkside Crematory Chapel. Relatives and friends may greet the family at St. Luke Catholic Church, 18000 W. Greenfield Ave., Brookfield, WI, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be held at the church following the Mass. Nancy will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in Rib Lake, Wisconsin, near her parents, sister, and brother at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Nancy requested that memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice. Her guiding words were: "Be kind to one another and welcome the stranger."

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Felician Village of Manitowoc, WI, Sharon S. Richardson Hospice of Sheboygan, WI, and Nancy's medical team at Holy Family Memorial Froedtert Family Care and Cancer Center, for their compassionate care. 

Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home of Manitowoc is assisting the family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy can be left for the family by visiting Nancy's obituary page at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.