Nancy K. Drinkwater

Nancy Katherine Drinkwater (nee Rutter), 91, died June 28, 2026. She was the beloved wife for seventy-three years of the late William Drinkwater.

Nancy was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to John Alonzo Rutter and Mabel Katherine Rutter (nee Larson). The family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin when Nancy was a baby. It was in Milwaukee during her high school years at South Division when Nancy met “her Bill”. They married in 1952 following her senior year before Bill would leave to serve in the army.

Nancy began working for First Wisconsin Bank as a keyboard operator while awaiting Bill’s return from service in Germany. They began their family shortly after his return and Nancy spent several years as a stay-at-home mom, raising their children.

In 1969 Nancy re-entered the workforce as an office administrator for Blizzard Ski School, a locally owned ski school for children. It was there that she learned the ins and outs of owning a business. When the owner, Mr. Niss, retired, ownership of the school transferred to Nancy and a small group of ski instructors. Nancy would run the business and administrative aspects of the ski school, eventually becoming the full owner. The thriving ski school changed names becoming Snowstar Ski School and then finally Snowstar Ski and Snowboard School.

Nancy loved and nurtured every aspect of her company. But she especially loved all the children and families that her school helped to enjoy the sport of skiing and snowboarding. Membership to the club during its most successful years numbered 1800 children with more than 75 instructors with a satellite club operating in Madison, WI. Local ski hills around southeastern Wisconsin would await the arrival of school buses filled with children between the ages of 7-18 for a day of lessons and skiing or snowboarding. Nancy would be out there at the hill running things from “behind the scenes” and fondly became known as “Mom” to hundreds of kids. She was the master problem-solver, making sure all aspects of the day ran smoothly from bus arrival, lesson start times, finding the right class group, broken equipment, lost lunches or money, and everything in between. Nancy's husband Bill, their children, and eventually their grandchildren offered behind the scenes support running the club. It truly was a family ski club.

She tirelessly ran her business while contracting with Milwaukee County Parks to provide downhill and cross-country ski rentals and lessons at Dretzka, Brown Deer, Whitnall, and Currie Parks. Nancy also extended these services at the parks to Special Olympics for a day of winter sports and fun. And in her spare time Nancy joined Toymaker's Auxiliary, sewing teddy bears and comfort blankets for the patients at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Nancy retired from Snowstar in 2004 leaving her business in the hands of a group of instructors.

Nancy remained very active during her retirement continuing her membership in Toymaker's, sewing, cooking, gardening, learning how to weave, travelling, becoming a proud pet parent to two Airedales, and enjoying her growing family.

Nancy K. Drinkwater lost her beloved husband Bill in June of 2025. She was the loving and devoted mother of Norman (Christine Onaga) Drinkwater, Debra (Steven) Butz, James (Jung) Drinkwater, and mama to her beloved, late son, Steven P. Drinkwater.

She was the proud grandmother of Jacob (Sarah Huber) Butz, Kenneth Drinkwater, Jonathan (Sarah Cohen) Butz, and Andrew (Wendy) Drinkwater. And a loving great-grandmother to Kilian, Emmett, Wesley, Shane, and Akiko.

Nancy is also survived by brother-in-law Norman (late Angie) Drinkwater. She was predeceased by brothers Robert (late Grace) Rutter and Paul “Butch” (late Kay) Rutter and brother-in-law Clarence (late Joan) Drinkwater. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, and loving friends.

We wish to thank the staff at New Perspective and the compassionate caregivers at Zilber Hospice, especially Kelly and Helen, for easing our mother's final journey in life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Nancy's name to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Aurora Zilber Family Hospice, or a charity of your choice.

At Nancy’s request, a public visitation for family and friends will be held at the Max Sass & Sons Mission Hills Chapel in Franklin, Wisconsin on Saturday, July 11 from 10 AM - 12 PM followed by a private burial.