Nancy Moden

Nancy Moden, 74, of Oblong, IL, passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on August 16, 1951, in Norton, KS, Nancy spent her early years on a farm. She attended elementary school in Edmond, KS, and in seventh grade, she moved off the farm and into Norton, later graduating from Norton Community High School in 1969. From there, she enrolled at Manhattan Christian College, and the next step in her education became the place where her life took a defining turn.

Nancy worked in the campus cafeteria, cooking breakfast and learning one practical rule: do not shut down the breakfast line until Arvin Moden came through, because he was known for being one of the last. In those days, a "good date" meant going out to eat after chapel, and one day, Arvin's date brought Nancy along. By the end of the meal, Arvin had decided he liked Nancy better! They were married on August 21, 1971, and after Nancy graduated from college, she took her place in the front of the classroom.

While Arvin attended graduate school, she taught at Pathway Christian School in East Point, GA. Kids listened to her and learned from her, because she had a way of seeing what was in them and drawing it out with kindness and quiet authority. After the family moved to Illinois, that calling followed her, and she spent time as a substitute teacher in St. Joseph, Oblong, and Robinson before returning to the classroom full-time. In her last few years before retirement, Nancy taught at New Life Academy at the Oblong Children's Christian Home, her care and steadiness being exactly what her students needed.

She retired at 65, but her heart for children never really did. In recent years, she continued teaching in the 2s and 3s room at Highland Church of Christ until she physically couldn't any longer. She loved them and loved serving at the church's Vacation Bible School. But her ministry was never only to the little ones. She also had a heart for the moms carrying the weight of the early years, and the MomCo gatherings at church became a place where she could pour out wisdom and hope, because she had been there and had seen God bring her through.

That same God-dependent faithfulness was the foundation of her home. Nancy loved her kids unconditionally and made sure they knew it. A sign in her living room read, "Love never gives up," and it was not decorative. It was descriptive. Love, in Nancy's life, showed up as protection and as a holy kind of watchfulness. When the kids were young and out late, the light was always on, and Nancy stayed up and waited. As they grew older, she kept watch in another way, through steady prayer, especially in hard seasons. She defended her kids, stood up for them, and made sure they had good opportunities. Her love had teeth when it needed to, and it could be fierce without ever losing its warmth. Still, most people experienced her strength in the form of encouragement, because gratitude was her native tongue.

That gratitude made her the kind of person others trusted. Nancy was a great listener. You could talk and vent, and she would quietly and calmly listen, sometimes offering wise advice, but always encouraging and lifting up. After all, she had a way of caring for people through simple presence. More than once, a quick conversation after church turned into a half hour, because Nancy would get "stuck" talking with someone who needed to be heard. As her kids grew and brought friends and significant others into their world, she welcomed them in, even when she was not sure they were right for her children. She might share her honest opinion afterward, but she would not push people away. She made room.

And in that, she was reflecting Someone. Because the room Nancy made for people was shaped by the room Jesus had made for her. He welcomed her, steadied her, forgave her, and held her fast. Her life was not perfect, but it was pointed. Pointed toward the Savior who carried her through and has now carried her home.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 54 years, Arvin Moden; by her children, Nathan & Katie Moden and their children, Aedan, Keyan, and Sayla; Amy & Taylor Shelton and their children, Levia and Jace; Dayante Moden and his children, Rylah and Xylen; by her sister, Saundra Anderson; by her brothers-in-law, Lloyd Moden, and Gary & wife Nesi Moden; as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Garold A. & Evlynn J. (Horesky) Sanborn; by her sisters, Mary Lou Stegman, Barbara Sandell, and Sharron Thompson; by her parents-in-law, Don & Velma Moden; and by her sister-in-law, Connie Moden.

If you walked into Nancy's house, you did not have to ask what mattered most. You could hear it. Christian music was always playing, filling ordinary moments with praise and worship. That is why, following a time of visitation from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17th, a praise service will be held at Highland Church of Christ at 4:00 p.m., as we lift up worship to Jesus through song. In her memory, donations may be made to either "Manhattan Christian College" or the "Oblong Children's Christian Home", and memorial envelopes will be available at the church. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is assisting the family at this time.