Nancy C. Davison

Nancy Catherine Davison passed away on September 1, 2023, in Escanaba, MI, at the age of 80. She was born on July 26, 1943, in Medford, WI, to her parents, the late Walter and Mary Isabel (Gengler) Sigmund.

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband, Leon Frischman, and her children, Naomi Rouse-Kugel of Madison, WI, Erin Hanson of Middleton, WI, Sean (Nancy) Davison of Carson City, NV, Heather Davison of Madison, WI, Ian (Bonnie) Davison of Louisville, KY, and Bridget (and John Davidson) Davison of Charlestown, IN, along with her stepchildren with Leon, Leah (Jeff) Brown of Defuniak Springs, FL, and Steven Frischman of Milwaukee, WI. She also leaves behind her siblings, Richard (Mary) Sigmund, Sr. of Medford, WI, Leon (Dianne) Sigmund of Callicoon, NY, Jean Thums of Medford, WI, Neal Sigmund of Watertown, WI, Gary (Sheila) Sigmund of Wausau, WI, Joyce (Gene) Denzine of Rib Lake, WI, and Connie (Lawrence) Goulet of British Columbia, Canada.

Nancy was grandmother to Samuel, Ezra, Jordan, Gabriel, Nicholas, Alex, Mariah, Clare, Taylor, Ethan, Isaac, and Andrew; and great-grandmother to Paul, Natalie, Charles, Brooklyn, and Maelyn; many nieces and nephews; and friends who were like family including Jim and Tina Jensen, and Sandy and Jerry Sovey. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Kathleen Mahner and Kevin Sigmund.

Nancy’s journey began on her family’s dairy farm in Medford, WI. She dedicated herself to her studies at Medford High School and was awarded a full college scholarship, which she declined after meeting and marrying Darryl Davison in 1962 in Whittlesey, WI. Nancy worked in administrative positions at several Wisconsin radio stations. Nancy engaged in various endeavors to assist with supporting her family, including gardening, canning, selling Tupperware, and selling Avon door-to-door. While living in Wausau, WI, she studied at UW-Marathon County.

From 1982-1985, Nancy helped form Davison Communications Corporation as Treasurer, and WSBW-FM Radio in Sturgeon Bay, WI where she served as the Sales Manager. Nancy relocated to Green Bay, WI where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Nancy then moved to Madison, WI, where she pursued her passion for geriatrics and obtained a Master’s in Social Work degree from UW-Madison.

She worked as a social worker at Rock Haven Nursing Home in Janesville, WI, from 1989 until her retirement in 2007. The following year she returned to Madison, WI to be closer to family. She worked seasonally at TASC for several years and volunteered at Lake Edge UCC in Madison, WI.

In December of 2011, Nancy married Leon Frischman in Madison, WI. Nancy had a love of the Great Lakes and enjoyed the view of Little Bay de Noc from her new Escanaba, MI home. She also found solace in her worship at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Escanaba, MI and volunteered with their annual holiday bake sale fundraiser.

Nancy had a variety of hobbies including knitting, completing jigsaw puzzles, gardening, reading, and fishing. She had a passion for live theater, movies, and musicals, with a particular fondness for the music of Patsy Cline. She was an avid supporter of the Packers, Badgers, and NASCAR. Nancy’s love for music extended to her active participation in live musical performances, including Handel’s Messiah and leading Girl Scouts in the national anthem at a Beloit Snappers game. She had the opportunity to meet and interact with notable figures such as Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Dick Butkus, and Tom Wopat.

Nancy’s philanthropic endeavors included donating hand-knit prayer shawls and supporting various organizations, including The Road Home Dane County, Compassion International, Carter Center, Indigenous American organizations, and veterans. Nancy traveled to Nicaragua to visit the Compassion International children and projects she supported.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 24, 2023 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Nancy, will follow at 2:00 p.m. Sunday with Rev. Mike Wellman officiating. A luncheon will be served following the funeral services in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nancy’s memory may be made to Compassion International https://www.compassion.com or Immanuel Lutheran Church https://www.immanuelescanaba.org. The Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the Davison family with arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nancy C. Davison, please visit our floral store.