Nancygene Unland

She died peacefully in the evening of Wednesday March 8. She was born in Indianapolis Indiana on January 9, 1944. She attended Garden City Elementary School and graduated from Ben Davis HS in 1962. She resided on the westside of Indianapolis all her life. She spent her childhood on a farm in Marysville Indiana with her beloved Aunt Tillie. Her love grew for all animals and the farm life. She especially loved the little pigs. After high school graduation she became a dental hygienist. She was married in 1968 until 1983 and had one daughter, Angela Marie. She then worked in the Eli Lilly factory downtown Indianapolis until discovering she was pregnant. She was a stay-at-home mom until Angela was 7 years old. She returned to the work force with different doctor’s office and eventually landed for 20+ years at Anthem Insurance working in claims.

After retirement she enjoyed the loves of her life; her 2 grandsons Trevor and Brandon. She would call them and take them for breakfast or for a bar-b-que lunch. She loved buying them school clothes at a young age and being ready for them on so many Christmas mornings. She loved watching the rodeo on TV with her 2 boys. She loved cooking for her boys and always made sure they tried new foods. She always told them that taste buds change and they might like it. As her grandsons grew, she watched them become great men. She always taught them about the importance of faith and Jesus. She would be so proud of the young men they are and what she has instilled in them. Trevor and Brandon are lucky they had her as a grandma, and she truly loved the honor of having them in her life.

She also loved spending any time in the “country” and always loved trips to southern Indiana to visit distant family, friends, or Aunt Tillie. Trips to Odon and Cloverdale were always in the itinerary. She was a great cook and need no recipe to follow. She was a great seamstress and made many of her young daughter clothes. She loved to crochet and was able to teach someone how to just with her words. She had a best friend of 75 years, Sandy.

A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2023, from 1:00PM to 3:00PM at Flanner Buchanan – Speedway, 2950 N High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46224.

She is survived by her daughter, Angela Marie Petrisin (Jim) of Indianapolis, IN. Her grandchildren, Trevor Michael and Brandon James of Indianapolis. Her brother Robert (Bob) Kirkman (Karen).

She was preceded in death by her parents Kenneth Ward and Evelyn Kirkman.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana.