Nancy Nell Dycus

Nancy Nell Adams Dycus

I started post high school at the University of Kansas to become a radio and television writer. But lo and behold, after a year I realized that wasn't for me. I remember going home to Paola and telling my mother that I wasn't going back to KU, that I was going to St. Luke's Nursing School. My mother replied, " how can you do that, you can't stand the sight of blood"? That was undoubtedly one of the best decisions that I ever made. I chose St. Luke's because that was where my sister Janet and her two friends Karen Heidecker and Vicki Peuser were going to school. Believe it or not, I didn't have a favorite instructor. I found them all interesting and challenging. My first job was with Doctors Twyman, Allen, and Kennard. I worked for them for 2 years and really learned from all of them. I have worked at several KC Hospitals, St. Luke's, Menorah, Research, Park Lane, MCI and the VA Hospital on Linwood Boulevard. I worked Med Surg, Recovery Room, ICU, and Performance and Patient Care Improvement.

I have done everything from staff nurse to head nurse, supervisor to nursing director, and Quality Assurance. My favorite experiences were helping patients through a difficult time and helping new nurses get settled in their career path.

I received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from UMKC. My Bachelors was in Sociology and my Masters was in Health Services Administration. My goal was to receive a bachelor’s by age 40 and a master’s by age 50.

I retired in 2011 after 48 years in nursing. It was a wonderful career choice and l have enjoyed it thoroughly. I thank my training and my instructors and head nurses at St. Lukes for preparing me to go out in the real world as a qualified nurse.

A side benefit from my training and friendships at St. Luke's was that I was introduced to Bill Dycus by Ginny Bollinger. Bill and I got married in 1964 and have been together ever since. We have two children and four grandchildren. I have been to every sporting event known to man and child. It has been a great life.

One of my most memorable St. Luke's moments was when Bill and I went to the 2006 100th graduation ceremony. My sister, Janet Parks, gave the keynote address.

Nancy Nell Dycus was born on November 2, 1941, in Paola, Kansas. Daughter to Bernard and Emily (McLaughlin) Adams. Nancy was an avid reader, enjoyed yard work, learning her family’s genealogy, and of course caring for others. She was smart, beautiful inside and out. The best wife, mother, and grandmother. Nancy loved her family so much, and she will be deeply missed by all.

Nancy is survived by her husband, William “Bill” Dycus; children, Sean Dycus and Kim (Marlin) Mangels; grandchildren, Shannon Dycus, Ryan Dycus, Carson Mangels, Alison Mangels; sister, Janet Parks. She is preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Emily Adams.

A visitation for Nancy will take place on Friday, February 2, 2024, at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39^th St., Independence, MO 64055. Family will greet guests between the hours of 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Nancy will be laid to rest at a private family inurnment.

In lieu of flower the family suggest contributions to be made to Alzheimer’s Association in Nancy’s honor.