Nanna Lou Pansze

Nanna L. Machala Pansze passed away peacefully on the snowy day of January 9th 2025. She was born January 22nd 1947 in OKC and graduated from Putnam City Original in 1965. In 1977 the family made the big move to the country (Piedmont) where she was always involved with her children’s activities, whether it was PTA, cheerleading, wrestling, or football. She could always be heard from the stands using her cheerleader voice, rooting for the team and of course ringing her famous cow bell. Nanna also spent countless evenings at Crowell Dance Studio where Lisa took dance and was very involved with the studio for 13 years. In 1985 Nanna’s calling came when she started working for Oklahoma City Public Schools for 26 years as an occupational therapist assistant working with severely handicap elementary children. She truly showed her special heart of gold. In her spare time, she loved working outside in the yard planting Pansies in the fall and Portulacas in the summer. Summertime was always her favorite time of the year. You always knew when her summer break from work had started when she would drive up her parent's driveway honking the horn and her dad thinking she was going to drive through the garage door, and then of course she would repeat this again at her Piedmont house flying up that circle drive. Summer also meant getting to spend time at the family's cabin in Arkansas where she was a long-time member of the club. She always enjoyed getting to see her friends there, many of whom were like a 2nd family to her (Including our priceless and irreplaceable neighbors the late Dr. Charles and Kay Jones). Even with all her health issues we were glad she was able to make the trip down to Little River for Labor Day weekend 2024. One memory Nanna held close to her heart were the many summer trips with her family and parents to Port Aransas Beach throughout the 1970’s. Her parents meant everything to her, and they are now reunited. WE LOVE U MOM! Nanna is preceded in death by her parents Walter Sr. (Da) and Nanna (Too-Too) Machala. She is survived by her 3 children Lisa, Ryan, and Reed. Her 2 grandchildren Natalie (Will) Polk and Neely Newman. Brother Walter Jr. and wife Peggy Machala. Niece and nephews; Kylie (Copeland), Cody, and Kevin Machala. Brother-in-laws; John and wife Dee Pansze and Bernt Pansze. Last but not least, her cats Sadie, Kirby Jr. & Lil’ Rikki. She was an animal lover, rescuing many neighborhood cats over the years. 

In memory of Nanna, you can donate to Oklahoma Humane Society- Okhumane.org or Arthritis Foundation- Arthritis.org