Nancy C. KoonsDes MoinesNancy Charlton Koons passed away at age 84 on May 3, 2017 at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines. She was born on May 27, 1932 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Freda and Frank Charlton of Rolfe, Iowa. Nancy's family moved from Rolfe to Des Moines in 1947 where Nancy attended and graduated from Roosevelt High School. Nancy then attended Monticello College and the University of Iowa where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She married James Gutfreund in 1953. After she and her husband spent two years living in England while Jim was in the Airforce, they settled in Des Moines. They were married for 17 years and had two children, David and Lynn. Nancy married her second husband Dr. Claude Koons in 1972, (who had three children from his previous marriage: Peter, Kelsey, and Kristi). They lived in Des Moines until 1983, when they moved to Belfast, and later Camden, Maine where Claude practiced medicine for many years. After retirement Claude and Nancy moved back to Des Moines in 1992 where they spent the remainder of their lives. Much of Nancy's life revolved around art. She studied art at Drake University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Nancy loved sculpture and created works in cast bronze, stone, welded metal, and plexiglass. She also taught stone sculpture classes while in Maine. She was very proud of her first-place stone sculpture in the Iowa Artist's show in 1983. Her works of art are an enduring legacy for all who possess them. Nancy was also active in the community. She was a long-time member of Junior League and gave many hours to the Des Moines Charity Horse Show. She volunteered for the Science Center, (setting up their first museum shop), the Des Moines Art Center, and Red Cross as well. She also enjoyed traveling, visiting many exciting destinations, including Russia which she visited as a member of the Friendship Force. She loved her family, the constant social whirl with her many friends, and time spent with Claude at their vacation homes in Bayview, Maine; Longboat Key, Florida; and Peoria, Arizona. In her later years Nancy enjoyed weekly bridge games, book clubs, and birthday parties with her special friends. She was also an avid dog lover and owned many wonderful pets throughout her life which gave her great joy. She loved music, singing with her brothers and husband at family gatherings. She played many instruments including guitar, flute, and harp.Nancy is survived by her children David Gutfreund (Diane) and Lynn McBrian (Mike Schoonover); Grandchildren, Erika Sullivan (Pat); Jeffrey Gutfreund (Teresa); Connor McBrian (Caitlin); and Great Grandson Christopher Gutfreund. She is also survived by a brother Craig Charlton (Carol) of Laguna Beach California.Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, (Dr. Claude Koons),and brother James Charlton.After Cremation, a memorial service will be held at 4:00pm, Saturday, June 10, 2017, Dunn's Funeral Home, 2121 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312, with a reception following in the atrium. The family will greet friends beginning at 3:30pm till service time.