NANCY "NAN" SMITH DETLEFSEN
September 6, 1922 - March 23, 2003

     Nancy was born in Dallas, Texas on Sept. 6, 1922 to Robert E. and Dorothy (Taulman) Smith.
She grew up in Rockdale, Texas. She married Staff Sgt. Marvin John Detlefsen in 1942 at Ft.
Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.  The most important part of her life was the love she had for
her sons and the love she received from them in return. To her family and friends she leaves
an old Navajo Blessing, "May the Rainbow always touch your shoulder", and she did believed
that laughter is the best medicine. 
     Preceded in death by her Parents, Brother, and Sisters, she is survived by her Husband,
her sons, Mike, Robin, Rick, and Mark, her daughter-in-law Peggy, her brother-in-law Harley,
and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.  
     "Nan" moved to Austin in 1960 with her beloved sons and found she had a talent for
painting. She devoted more than 25 years to being a homemaker and her painting.  She held
offices in the Municipal Art Guild, a Charter member and 3 times president of the Capitol Art
Society, and a member of the River Art Group in San Antonio. She showed for a number of years
at Laguna Gloria Fiesta, many shows and Galleries throughout Texas, winning some awards. 
     Failing health ended her painting career but she spent the next fifteen years working on
the extensive family geneology started by her grandfather, documenting historic events from
New York to Texas.  Through this she has joined the Blauvelt Family Assn.,N.Y., Band of
Botsfords, Conn., Clan MacClellan of America, Stephen F. Austin Chapter of the DRT's through
Daniel Parker who brought the first Protestant Church to Texas and Uncle to famed Cynthia Ann
Parker, and she is a member of the Thankful Hubbard Chapter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution. 
     There will be no formal ceremony. Just lay her down to sleep in Oak Lawn Cemetary in
Rockdale, Texas among so many who made her life so happy, and with those of the family wishing
to say, Goodnight and Sweet Dreams.