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Wisconsin Public Television Remembers Nancy Zieman

Wisconsin Public Television is saddened by the death of Nancy Zieman, longtime host of Sewing With Nancy.

Erik Ernst

11/14/17

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Wisconsin Public Television is saddened by the death of Nancy Zieman, longtime host of Sewing With Nancy.

Zieman passed away at her home in Beaver Dam Tuesday morning after a long battle with cancer.

An educator, author, pattern maker, television producer, entrepreneur and innovator, Zieman inspired millions of sewing and quilting enthusiasts throughout her career. She hosted Sewing With Nancy, the longest-running sewing series on television, since 1982. The program continues to air on public television stations across the United States.

A careful, kind and generous presence, Zieman presented each of her programs in an engaging how-to format that empowered people of all skill levels to explore their own talents.

In addition to her TV program, Zieman was the founder of Nancy’s Notions, a Tacony Corporation company. Grown from her own kitchen table into a nationwide name trusted by sewers and quilters, the company offers thousands of products including sewing books, notions, videos and DVDs, fabrics and quilting products and embroidery designs through its website, retail store and Nancy’s Notions catalog.

In 2005, Zieman helped develop Quilt Expo with WPT in Madison. The event is a vibrant example of Zieman’s inspiration, now drawing more than 20,000 people from across the United States to celebrate the art and craft of quilting.

Zieman is survived by her husband, Richard, their two sons, Ted and Tom, and her beloved grandchildren.

“Nancy was an entrepreneur, a talented television host, a dear friend to so many people at Wisconsin Public Television, and a true Wisconsin treasure,” WPT’s Director of Television Jon Miskowski said. “During the time that she produced her series Sewing With Nancy with WPT, she made hundreds of hours of programs sharing her love of sewing and quilting – work that reflects the essence of Nancy’s legacy in passing the love of sewing, a passion she held very dear, on to the next generation. It was an honor for WPT to be a part of her story. We will all miss Nancy and share our condolences with her family and friends as we remember a life well-lived and a legacy that will continue to inspire for years to come.”

“I am proud to have worked with Nancy on Sewing With Nancy for more than 25 years,” Laurie Gorman, WPT’s producer of Sewing With Nancy, said. “She had the rare ability to take her passion – the love of sewing – and share it with a national audience through the medium of television. Nancy was a savvy entrepreneur, talented colleague, and dear friend. She will be greatly missed by the staff at WPT and her many viewers and fans across the country.”

Zieman’s work on Sewing With Nancy lives on in the hundreds of hours of television that she created, much of which is available online at wpt.org/SewingWithNancy as a lasting resource that is still used by sewing and quilting enthusiasts around the world.

A private funeral service will be held. Fans and friends hoping to share their memories of Nancy’s life and inspiration are welcome to leave comments at NancyZieman.com/blog. If friends, fans and viewers desire, information about suggested memorial gifts is also available at that website.

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Erik Ernst

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199 Comments

  • Bonita J. Klinger

    Nancy was a beautiful person. She will be greatly missed. My condolences to her family. She is soaring with the angels now. Rest In Peace.

  • Carolyn Dixon

    I have followed Nancy for years and will continue to enjoy her enthusiasm for her craft through her reruns on PBS. She will be dearly missed. Love and prayers to all.

  • Cynthia Schlosser

    I really enjoyed Nancy’s show and products. My heart was very saddened by her passing , and tears were shed. My prayers were given for this kind soul, and peace to her family. I, like many others have never been privlidged to meet her, but felt I knew her for many years. Peace and love to Mancy and her family.???

  • Deb Meyer

    I can remember watching Nancy, off and on, for almost as far back as her show started. She was always a welcomed ‘guest’ in my home and seemed so gracious and kind. I learned a lot from her, over the years, and not all of it pertaining to sewing or quilting! I can honestly say that I will miss her, although I know her program will remain on the air for some time to come. That’s the beauty of recordings! We get to keep a little part of her with us, and that will be a comfort to some.

    We will miss you, Nancy, and send our thoughts and prayers to your family and friends, so they may find the strength. Thank you for sharing yourself with us and may God bless!

  • Barb Bilenki

    Nancy has been apart of my sewing world for 31 years , I will miss her . Rest In Peace .

  • Mary Alice Castillo

    I am in tears as I write this farewell. Nancy you are finally free of pain and the angels in heaven were excited to greet such a wonderful lady. You taught me so much and I am so glad that I got to meet you and take a photo with you. Our photo will hang in my sewing area forever. My condolences to your family, coworkers and friends. I will miss her so much. Thank goodness that we have videos and programs we can watch to get our dose of Nancy. Our prayers are with your family. Bye for now.

  • Kathleen Berg

    Rest in Peace, Nancy.
    To Richard, Ted, Tom and the entire family our sincerest sympathy. You are in my prayers.

    Nancy inspired so many with her teaching skills, bringing in the future educators, and the finale of every show, as she encouraged others to share what they were doing to teach the world. What an amazing woman.
    Kathleen

  • Nancy Branch

    so sorry to hear this news prayers to the family and friends!

  • Eileen

    So very sad to hear this news. I always enjoy watching Nancy’s videos and I learn something from her every time I see one. What a talented and generous person she was. We are so fortunate she shared her love and knowledge of sewing with us. My heartfelt condolences to her family. May you find some peace at this sad time knowing that Nancy was loved and respected by so many and she will be missed by all of us.

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