June 21, 1931 – January 30, 2025
Nancy Jean Soltau passed away on January 30, 2025, in Palo Alto, CA. Nancy was born on June 21, 1931 to Verne and Ginevira Olson in Edina, MN. Nancy graduated from St. Louis H.S. and attended the University of Minnesota, where she was a member of the Pi Phi Sorority and was named Miss Snowflake her freshman year. At the university, she met her future husband, Gordon Soltau, at a sorority party and taught him how to Cha Cha. They were married for 60 years until his death in 1989.
Nancy moved to Northern California and the couple raised three children: Mark, Jill and John. Nancy enjoyed her volunteer activities at Peninsula Children’s Center and Stanford’s International House. After becoming an empty nester, she and partner Georgia Meredith started Cable Car Seminars & Tours, a successful private company catering to tourist conventions in San Francisco.
Nancy was smart, outgoing, determined, well-dressed, competitive and a wonderful hostess, in her home, cabin or at 49er home games. For years, Nancy and Gordy hosted festive 49er tailgate parties at Candlestick Park that drew a Who’s Who crowd from all walks of life. Nancy had a full circle of friends and liked to travel, play golf, tennis, dominoes, fly fish and was an accomplished bridge player. Nancy adored her King Charles Cavalier Spaniels.
Nancy and Gordy were a great team and longtime members at Menlo Country Club, where she volunteered for many years to train the dining room staff on proper etiquette.
Nancy’s Happy Place was Lake Almanor, CA., where she and Gordy maintained a lakefront home. Nancy took her kids water skiing and every 4th of July, she and Gordy hosted a party for neighbors that turned into a spirited competition between Gordy’s former 49er teammate Eddie Dove and his family and actor Richard Crenna and his family for many years. A good time was had by all.
Nancy is survived by her younger brother, Doug Olson, his wife Charlotte, niece and nephew Maria and Brian; son Mark and his wife Valerie, daughter Jill and son John; and two grandchildren: Susan Soltau and Shelby Soltau
Thank you so much, Mark. I wish we had lived closer.
Hi Marilyn,
You were mom’s oldest friend and she loved you. You two did not see each often but when you did it was like no time had passed.
Mom was in Hospice for a year, her passing was a blessing. Pa called her up to celebrate his 100 th heavenly birthday. With love, Jill