Nancy Lillian Haff, 85

Nancy (Andersen) Haff, 85, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Kootenai, Idaho.

Nancy was born Sept. 24, 1939, in Lake Forest (Chicago), Ill., to John and Ruby Swendsen — the third of four children. Nancy did a lot of her schooling in Walker, Minn., and graduated from Walker High School in 1958. She met and married Richard “Dick” Andersen in 1959.

Nancy and Dick moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1961 because of the lake, fishing, hunting and natural beauty of Sandpoint and North Idaho. Nancy and Dick started the first pizzeria, Riccardo’s Pizza in the mid-1960s and enjoyed making delicious food and having great parties. They also started a family, having three daughters, Pam, Tracy and Shelley. A while later, they sold Riccardo’s, then started The Chateau Supper Club - Steak and Seafood, on Highway 200. Many memories, great food and service were enjoyed both by Nancy and Dick, their staff and patrons of the Chateau. They built a home on the shores of Kootenai Bay and the neighbors decided to name the road after Nancy.

Nancy also enjoyed her Beta Sigma Phi sisters and the support to the Lions Club and just helped out wherever she could.  She was a fantastic mamma bear, a beautiful woman and raised three strong, independent girls after her marriage to Dick ended. She was very busy and supportive of her children's sports, even driving to away games in crazy snowstorms.  

Nancy also worked at the Northwest Co (Gas’n’Go) from 1974 to 1987 in the office as a bookkeeper. Nancy then met and married a wonderful man, Donald Haff from Brainerd, Minn., on Feb. 28, 1987, and began her “retirement” – she was always working on something! Don and Nancy spent their winters in Sandpoint and their summers in Minnesota in the late '80s and early '90s.

They had many friends and neighbors to have laughs and great times with. They also enjoyed the cabin in Thompson Falls, Mont.

Nancy and Don also loved helping people whenever they were asked. In their later years, they became snowbirds and spent winters in Surprise, Ariz., and their summers between Lake Edward, Minn., Sandpoint and Thompson Falls. Nancy was also a survivor of ovarian 3C cancer and a stroke years later. Sadly, Don passed away in Kootenai, Idaho, on Oct. 14, 2021.

Nancy is survived by her three daughters, Pam (Wayne) Tennant, Tracy (Doyle) Olson and Shelley (Chris) Healy; grandchildren Brad, Stefanie, Ellen, Samantha, Lillee and Summer; and eight great-grandchildren. Nancy is also survived by stepdaughter Corlene; and grandchildren Clint and Carrie. Nancy was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Norman Swendsen, Robert “Swede” Swendsen and Bonnie Stewart; Nancy’s husband, Don; and stepdaughter Marge.

There will be a celebration of life later in 2025. We will always miss our loving mother and friend.

Family and friends are invited to sign Nancy’s online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.