Arthur Nack

Arthur Nack died peacefully on May 10, 2015 at the age of 90. He was born in Sheboygan, WI on July 14, 1924 to Arthur A. and Paulina (Prabst) Nack. He graduated from Sheboygan Central High School and began attending UW Madison for one year before electing to serve in the US Navy during WWII. He served in the South Pacific as Quartermaster on an LSM. After the war he graduated from UW Madison in 1950 with a degree in social work. There he met Mary Mayo Parrish, the love of his life, and they married on February 18, 1950. Both Art and Mary worked as community organizing interns in the Milwaukee Public Health Department under Dr. Regina Westcott, supporting racial integration. This began their interest in the civil rights movement and social justice issues. Art later earned his masters degree in social work at the University of Chicago and returned to the Milwaukee Department of Public Health as a social worker. Moving south down the Lake Michigan shoreline to Kenosha and Waukegan, Art continued his work in public welfare, culminating in the directorship of Lake County Family Service Agency.

With five growing children, the family returned to Wisconsin, settling in Madison. Here Art applied his social work skills serving children with special needs in the Madison Public School system. In the late 1960's, Art and Mary became charter members of an ecumenical community, the Madison Christian Community, joining the Community of Hope, UCC. He enjoyed camping, skiing (completing the Birkebeiner race), tobogganing and hiking as the children grew. He also loved to garden, sing, and track his investments in the financial market. In May of 2014, Art was an honoree on the Badger Honor Flight to Washington DC; meaningfully commemorating his years of service.

He is survived by his wife, Mary and five children: Mary Margaret Nack (Sheldon Weinberg), Nancy Gorder (Greg), Martha Nack (Peter Bakken), John Arthur Nack (Adele), and Ruth Wagman (Steve) as well as many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, the Rev. Richard Nack (Sue) and three nieces Janet, Mary and Sarah; and their families.

He is preceded in death by his parents Arthur A. and Paulina (Prabst) Nack, and niece Deborah "Debbie" Nack.

A Memorial Service will be held at the COMMUNITY OF HOPE, MADISON CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, 7118 Old Sauk Rd, Madison 53717 on Saturday, May 16, at 11 am with visitation starting at 10 am. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Community of Hope; the Oakwood Foundation, 6201 Mineral Point Rd, Madison 53705; or the Alzheimer and Dementia Alliance of WI, 517 N Segoe Rd, Suite 301, Madison 53705.

Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
608-238-3434
Please share your memories at
www.CressFuneralService.com