Dr. Nancy C. Herrell, M.D., of Brookfield, WI, passed peacefully in her sleep after an 8-month battle with a degenerative spinal disease on February 2, 2026, at the age of 76.

Nancy graduated from Whitefish Bay High School and then earned her B.S. and M.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was board certified in pediatrics and neonatology. Throughout her 30-year career, she was a professor of medicine at UW-Madison and the Medical College of Wisconsin, as well as in private practice at many hospitals throughout the Milwaukee metro, where she cared for thousands of premature babies.

Besides being a brilliant scholar with a highly accomplished career, she devoted much of her life to successfully raising her five children, while attending to many hobbies. An avid knitter, she often shared her talents making prayer shawls and preemie hats to donate to local hospitals. She read over fifty books a year and was quick to offer a book recommendation. Nancy was able to enjoy a truly enviable retirement traveling the world with her husband, family, and many friends – appreciating fine food and wine, experiencing culture, and catching quite a few Josh Groban concerts. Being a grandmother to eleven wonderful grandchildren was her greatest source of joy. She will be missed and remembered fondly by all who were lucky to know her.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 53 years Daniel Herrell; her five children Joshua (Joy) Herrell, Benjamin (Nichole) Herrell, Jonas (Arielle Singh) Herrell, Alison (Ryan Michael) Herrell, Christa (Alexander) Neve; her eleven grandchildren Nathan Langenkamp, Caleb, Landon, and Noah Herrell; Carson, Avery, and Alexis Herrell; Oliver and Aurora Herrell; and Ainsley and Christian Neve; her sister Jill (Duane) Du Mez; her brother William Cross; her aunt/godmother Carol Steinkraus; her beloved dog Charlotte; as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents William & Virginia Cross.  

A funeral service to honor and celebrate Nancy's life will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, with visitation from 1:00 - 3:00 PM and a service at 3:00 PM at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 1615 N. Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Zilber Family Hospice or St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Wauwatosa are appreciated.