Nancy Jean Wozniak Wehrheim Stark, 78, of Itasca, IL, passed away on May 15, 2025, after a long battle with kidney disease and heart disease. Nancy was born on June 4, 1946, in Chicago, IL, to Thaddeus Joseph Wozniak and Rita Marie (nee Borsch).

Most everyone who knew Nancy will agree that she was a force to be reckoned with. She was fierce, brave, and knew how to command the room. A long-time purchasing executive for various manufacturers, Nancy knew how to impose order and get the job done. She was never a follower and was not afraid to lead or be bold. During the 1980s and 1990s, Nancy broke several glass ceilings in the job force and left a legacy in the manufacturing field she worked in for over 30 years. She went on to take several courses in business and management from Elmhurst College and worked in purchasing and commodities for Advance Transformers, Cornelius, and Kauffman Engineering (formerly Sentral Assemblies) before retiring.

Aside from her business tenacity, Nancy was also a deeply loving and caring person— a true helper, a kind person who would have saved the world if she could have. Life gave Nancy many twists and turns, many of them traumatic, and she fought through each and every obstacle with love, compassion, and fierce perseverance.

Nancy was born on the Southside of Chicago in Bridgeport and then grew up in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago. She graduated from St. Michael Central High School in 1964 where she made many lifelong friends. She was formerly married to Phillip John Wehrheim and subsequently married to Frank J Stark, who she married on March 14th, 1987, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Chicago.

Although Nancy loved many things, she loved being a mom the most. She was the adored mother of Elisabeth J Stark and the late Philip John (PJ) Wehrheim. Nancy was also the beloved sister of Caroline Morici and the late Thaddeus (Ted) Wozniak; sister-in-law to Pamela Wehrheim, Patricia Wehrheim, and the late Mary (Maria) Bartemes; Nancy was also a loving aunt to many including Rebecca (Ross), Drew (Amy), Danny (Jamie), Fred (Linda), Licia, Andrea (Steve), Katie (Jake), Chris (Jenny), Joe, and Deanne; Nancy also had countless other family members, especially cousins and great nieces and nephews who she loved dearly. Nancy also leaves behind her dear friends Dorothy, Norma, Marge, Maureen, Carolyn, Terry, and dozens of others. It would take a page to list all the people whose lives Nancy touched. Nancy also leaves behind her sweet dog Pepper and her mischievous grand dog, Juno.

Nancy was preceded in passing by her parents, Rita and Thaddeus; her devoted son, PJ; her brother Ted; her sister-in-law Mary; her cherished dogs Shadow, Deagle, and Sheba, and many wonderful friends.

In her free time, Nancy was an avid reader and collector of books. Some of her favorite authors included Stephen King and JD Robb. She also enjoyed watching mystery and crime and could usually be found watching reruns of Law and Order SVU. Nancy also enjoyed taking time to garden, going antiquing with her daughter, and playing card games with her husband and friends. Most days, Nancy loved to eat tuna salad and knew a good tomato better than anyone. Above everything else, Nancy loved spending time with her friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nancy's memory can be made to the American Kidney Fund https://www.kidneyfund.org/ .

The Visitation will be held on Tuesday May 20, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N Main St, Wheaton, IL 60187. Family and friends will gather at the Funeral Home on Wednesday May 21, 2025, at 9:00 AM and process to Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton IL for the Comital Service.