Margaret Nadine Christiansen, “Nadine”, daughter of Ralph and Floy (McElroy) Kreager, was born April 6, 1922, on a farm north of Newton, Iowa. She graduated from Newton High School in 1939 and two years later received her teaching certificate from Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls. In 1941, she was hired as a teacher in Mingo, Iowa by their Superintendent, L. L. Pickett. There she met T. A. “Chris” Christiansen who was Mingo’s Music Teacher and they were married August 13, 1944. In 1948 they, along with Mingo’s Principal, Miss Lois Staker, followed Mr. Pickett to Ruthven where Chris remained on the faculty until his retirement in 1977.
In late 1957, Nadine was called back to teaching as a substitute for the ailing Hazel Logan. After Mrs. Logan died, Nadine joined the faculty and, with summer/night classes, she completed her B. A. degree in Elementary Education at Buena Vista College in 1967. She continued teaching Kindergarten and 1st Grade until her retirement in 1986. She was a motivated teacher with excellent rapport with her students.
Nadine was active in the United Methodist Church in Ruthven, serving on the Administrative Board, the Commission on Eduation, the United Methodist Women, and as Sunday School Superintendent and teacher.
She was a charter member and organizer of the Ruthven Women’s Club and Ruthven Public Library in addition to being a long-time member of the Priscilla Club and later serving on the Ruthven Care Center Board. She worked faithfully in many school, youth, community, and charitable organizations…with a reputation for cheerful reliability.
Nadine loved playing cards and will always be remembered for her good-natured, cooperative, and pleasing personality.
Nadine lived in Ruthven until December 2000 when she moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. She died Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the Woodbury Health Care Center in Woodbury, Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Chris on Oct. 6, 1988; and a brother Morris.
Left to cherish her memory are two daughters: Sandra Dvorsky and her husband, Steve of Maplewood, MN; Susan Christiansen of Iowa City; two granddaughters, Mary Dvorsky of West Hollywood, California and Anna Dvorsky of Winter Park, Florida; two foster daughters, Tammy Wilson and Sharon Manwarren of Emmetsburg and six foster grandchildren; three brothers, Ross Kreager of Adel, Bob Kreager of Newton, and Harold Kreager of Kennebec, SD; and one sister, Lucille Shaw of Mesa, AZ; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Service:
Saturday, April 5, 2008
2:00 PM
United Methodist Church
Ruthven, IA