Nancy Otos, age 80, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. A life-long Duluth resident, Nancy led an unconventional life and was a pioneer for women. She had an unplanned pregnancy in 1965 when there were few options for women outside of adoption. Nancy made the courageous decision to keep her baby and went back to school to earn her teaching degree with the support of Lutheran Social Services. She became an English teacher at Proctor High School, where her passion for literature, theatre, and sharing ideas inspired many young people for 30 years. She was a tough teacher, but she taught both her students and her daughter to be intelligent, independent, and brave.