Nancy (Rhode) Kortenhof (83) of Sugar Camp passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on March 10, 2023.
Nancy Joy Rhode was born on Sept. 10, 1939, in Rhinelander, and grew up with a love of horses and other animals on a farm in Sugar Camp.
She was an excellent student, who attended Sugar Camp elementary school before graduating at the top of her class from Three Lakes High School in 1957.
A life-long, gifted athlete, Nancy excelled at sports when opportunities were limited for women. After graduating, she turned down an academic scholarship and spent two years traveling the country playing basketball for the Texas Cowgirls - a women's professional basketball team.
In 1959 the Cowgirls traveled with the Harlem Globetrotters and played in front of large crowds at venues that included San Francisco's Cow Palace and New York's Madison Square Garden.
In later years, she enjoyed playing softball and volleyball. She was also an outstanding tennis player and bowler who left behind a room full of trophies.
In 1960 she married Steve Kortenhof Jr. and began a marriage that lasted over six decades.
After briefly residing in Chicago, the couple returned to Sugar Camp and built a home and family on Jennie Webber Lake. For many years she worked in the medical records department of St. Mary's Hospital and coached at the Sugar Camp and Three Lakes schools. She loved her family, friends, gardening, being outside, and spending time on Jennie Webber Lake.
Nancy is survived by her husband Steve Kortenhof Jr., her five children Kim, Mike, Vicky, Ken and Kurt, her 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and her brother, Bruce Rhode.
She was preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Emroy (Ek) Rhode.
Visitation for Nancy will be held on Monday, March 20, 2023, from 10 a.m. to noon with a Mass of Christian Burial following at noon at the St. Kunegunda Catholic Church in Sugar Camp. Father Ron Serrao and Father Rich Rhinehart will be officiating.
Interment will follow in the St. Kunegunda Catholic Cemetery. You may leave your private condolences for the Kortenhof family at www.carlsonfh.com.
The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the Kortenhof family.
Reader Comments
Posted: Sunday, March 19, 2023
Article comment by:
Sandra Nesvick
My sincere prayers for the family at this difficult time. Sandy
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