Nancy Ann Sullivan

Nancy Ann (Mickalonis) Sullivan, a long-time resident of North Mankato, MN, passed away peacefully on Thursday May 7, 2026. She was 90 years old.

She was born July 25, 1935, to Ralph and Grace (Graham) Mickalonis, in Canton, Illinois. She grew up in Canton, enjoyed dancing and was the baton twirling majorette for the Canton High School Band. After high school she worked in a local department store until she married the love of her life, Thomas R. Sullivan. In 1955. Her first adventure as a new bride was to relocate overseas to support her husband stationed in Germany, where they lived for two years. After returning to the States, Nancy continued supporting the couple as Thomas completed law school. They settled in Mankato, MN and started a family shortly thereafter. They moved to North Mankato and raised two daughters, Sheila and Sheri.

Nancy took pride in taking care of her family. When she wasn’t attending to family needs, she enjoyed being an entrepreneur. She ran an in-home typing business specializing in research and thesis papers for graduate degree students. She also did custom tailoring and was a seamstress. Once the children were older, Nancy became an Avon Lady and earned enough money to take the family to Ireland.

She volunteered to lead Campfire Girl meetings and activities, and later served on the local board of directors for the Camp Fire Girls organization. She also ­­­assisted in leading a sewing group called the ‘Sew and Sews’ at the First Presbyterian Church, that created items for both domestic and overseas missions.

Nancy’s greatest passion was the creative arts. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting ceramics, rosemaling, flower and Hosta gardening. In the 1990’s she was awarded a grant by the State of Minnesota to learn the Norwegian style of painting called Rosemaling. Rosemaling went on to be Nancy’s favorite painting style. She would practice on chairs, plates, chests, rocks and anything else that inspired her. Many of her rosemaling pieces were on display at Nordic Fest competition in Decorah, Iowa. She found joy in studying other artists’ techniques and trying new methods. Even in her later years she continued knitting, painting and creating holiday greeting cards for nursing home residents.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas R. Sullivan, her sister, Elaine Smith and parents, Ralph and Grace Mickalonis. She is survived by her daughters, Sheila Sullivan of Forest Lake, MN and Sheri (Dan) Girolamo, of Waterville, MN; granddaughter, Jaclyn (Matt) Hoffman of Stacy, MN and great granddaughter, Emma Hoffman; niece and nephews and many great nieces and nephews; all of whom brought great joy to her.

We wish to extend a special thankyou to the staff of Keystone Place at LaValle Fields and the friends who helped Nancy so much throughout her journey. Northview Mortuary, North Mankato, MN has been entrusted with arrangements. Memorial Service will be on May 29, 2026 at 1:30pm, visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at Northview Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Dr. North Mankato, MN. There will be a private burial in Canton, IL, at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.