Nancy "Neva" Prey

MADISON/TAMPA, FL – Nancy “Neva” Prey, age 70 of Madison, went home to be with the Lord, on Friday, February 6, 2009 at Rehab and Healthcare Center of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. Neva was born Jan. 16, 1939 in Madison, the daughter of Richard and Etta Mae (Beecher) Kerns. She married Robert Prey, Sr. January 26, 1957 in Madison. They built a life together in Green Bay with their two children, Robert Jr. and Lori. They would later divorce and she returned to Madison. Neva was a bus driver for Madison Metro Transit for over 20 years until her retirement. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church since 1979, and served as part of the church alter guild. She will be fondly remembered for her love of bowling and baseball. She will always be remembered as “Auntie Bubblegum” for the price of a kiss. Neva is survived by her son, Robert Prey, Jr., of Tampa, Fl.; a grandson, Tim; daughter, Lori (Tom) Ray, of Cottage Grove; and granddaughter, Amanda, whom Neva always had a special bond that only those two knew. She is further survived by three brothers, Bradford (Vivian) Kerns, of Oregon, Tony (Janet Galle) Schwersinske, of Madison, Tom Schwersinske, of Madison; two sisters, Virginia (John) Vander Leest, of Green Bay and Mary Ann (Bill) Graves, of Caledonia; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Elvin Schwersinske; a brother, Alvin Schwersinske; and three sisters, Joan Kerns, Jeanette Lewison, and Bonnie Rodenschmit, and a neice, Tammy Vander Leest. Funeral services will be held at HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2670 Milwaukee St., Madison on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009 at 1 p.m. with Rev. Mark Bartels officiating. Entombment will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, Madison. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Friday from noon until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School or Immanuel Lutheran Church. If tears could build a stairway, And memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven And bring you home again.