Yankee Springs Trail Riding Club member Nancy Counterman died Thursday, Feb. 15, in Grand Rapids. She was 87.

She was born Dec. 27, 1936, in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Garrison and Lucy (Stolle) Boyce. For more than 30 years Nancy was a physical education teacher for Plainwell Community Schools until her retirement in 1994. Her passion for teaching extended outside of the classroom, spending many summers teaching local children to swim at several area lakes and at her home. 

She married Arthur Counterman in Indiana in 1954. 

She was a competitive endurance horse rider and a member of the Yankee Springs Trail Riding Club.

Surviving are her husband of 69 years; her children, Steve (Patti) Counterman of Allegan and Karen (Bob) Everett of Jenison; five grandchildren, Michael, Stacy, Chad, Katie and Mindy; 11 great-grandchildren; siblings, John Boyce and Kathleen Bowen along with several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Daniel; great-grandson, Kaiden and siblings, Garrison, Jean, David, Phillip, Joann and Marilyn. 

Friends may visit with Nancy’s family starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, until the time of the funeral service at 11, with Pastor Darrel Le Roux officiating. Burial will follow at Hicks Cemetery in Watson Township. 

Contributions in memory of Nancy may be made to Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center in Augusta.