Obituary for Nanci Ann Paetow

June 24, 1952 - October 22, 2012

A memorial service for Nanci Ann Paetow, 60, of Scottsbluff, will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, 2012 at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff with Pastor Lauren Ekdahl officiating. Casual attire is requested, as that is what Nanci would want. Cremation was held at Sunset Memorial Park Crematory. A memorial has been established to CAPWN for abused children. Nanci was born to Morris Lee "Dick" and Janet Elizabeth (Davies) Davidson June 24, 1952 in Lincoln, Neb. Nanci grew up an "Air Force Brat" living in California and several other locations where her father was stationed. She came to Nebraska in 1973 joining the Scottsbluff Police Department as a dispatcher in 1975. She was eventually promoted to detective. Nanci was key in several major cases in the county. Her career spanned 33 years, retiring in 2008. She was the first woman officer and detective west of Kearney. She also headed up DARE, GREAT and Crime Stoppers. Nanci had an uncanny memory to detail, names, dates and numbers, which was key in solving many major cases. She was an amazingly smart, caring and giving person knowing what people needed and enjoyed serving others. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Survivors include her husband, W. Dan Paetow; daughter and son-in-law, Lindsay (Paetow) and Mike Groover and their yet to be born daughter of Braden-ton, Fla.; step-daughter, Beth (Mark) Clemons of Scottsbluff and stepson, Jack (Sara) Paetow; mother-in-law, Mary Ellen Paetow; sister, Sue Houston, Scottsbluff; brothers, Jeff Davidson, Castroville, Texas, Steve and Mel Davidson both of Scottsbluff. Preceding Nanci in death were her parents, Dick and Liz Davidson, and father-in-law, John Paetow. Nanci was called "Nanner" by numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews and dear friends.