Nancy Jean Kilpin, wife, mother, grandmother and a lifelong musician and teacher, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Holton Manor in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, at the age of 95.
Born in Elkhorn on August 28, 1930 and raised in East Troy, Nancy was the youngest daughter of Arthur and Florence (nee Kuntz) Koppein. She attended and graduated from East Troy public schools and continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Nancy married John “Jack” Kilpin on November 3, 1949, and lived in East Troy for the next 37 years. Following Jack’s death in 1986, Nancy moved to Burlington, where she lived for the following 38 years.
Music was central to Nancy’s life. Having begun playing piano at age 4, she eventually studied at the Milwaukee Conservatory of Music during high school. Nancy taught piano for several years, guiding hundreds of students during her time in East Troy. Nancy also played organ at the East Troy Methodist Church for 10 years.
Even more important to Nancy was music education. At the age of 38, Nancy returned to college to earn her bachelor’s degree. After graduation, Nancy spent the next 25 years teaching at schools in New Berlin (Elmwood Elementary), Mukwonago (Clarendon Avenue Elementary), East Troy (St. Peter’s Catholic School), and Genoa City (Brookwood Elementary). Nancy returned to Whitewater to earn her master’s degree at age 55. During this time, Nancy also provided music direction for and accompanied 26 community theatre productions, including those staged by the Village Players (Mukwonago), Lakeland Players (Elkhorn), and The Haylofters (Burlington).
Nancy also served as Music Director at Burlington Methodist Church for 24 years, retiring in 2017. Even in retirement, Nancy continued playing piano for others, including for seniors at Oak Park Place in Burlington.
Nancy is survived by her children, Mike (Kathy) Kilpin, Mark (Elizabeth) Kilpin, and Tim (Heidi) Kilpin; grandchildren, Kelly Rissky, Casey Kilpin, Abe Kilpin, Moriah Kilpin, Michaela Wetmore, Alesha Tavares, Jordan Kilpin, Pete Kilpin, and 18 great-grandchildren. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack, her brother Don, and her sisters Vivian and Betty.
The family would like to thank Nancy’s caregivers, Brooke, Catthy, Carmen, Emily, Fikreta, Kimberly, Marcia, Monica, Samantha, and Tracey; and also her hospice nurse, Kari.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Burlington Methodist Church Music Fund.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11 am at the Burlington United Methodist Church. Private burial of ashes will take place at St. Peter’s Cemetery in East Troy with her husband, Jack.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory
625 S. Browns Lake Drive
Burlington, WI 53105
(262) 763-3434
www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com
