Norma Nadine Okerblad

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Norma Nadine Okerblad, 85, of Boxholm and Bethany Manor in Story City, died on November 23rd at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, after suffering a major stroke.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 29, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Boxholm. Pastor Alaire Willits will officiate. Burial will be at Lost Grove Township Cemetery, rural Harcourt, Iowa. Visitation will be Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Church. For online obituaries & condolences please visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

Nadine was born in Whiting, Iowa, to Albert and Doris Rowe on Sept. 8, 1929. She grew up in the small town enjoying and appreciating her family and friends, during the years of the Great Depression. Upon entering her teen years, she watched as her older brothers and other young men left their hometown to fight in WWII. Her stories from youth were filled with pride in her parents and family, neighbors and friends.

After graduating from high school, Nadine attended Wayne State College in Nebraska and became an elementary teacher. She taught in Blencoe and Grand Junction, Iowa, where she met Loren Okerblad. They were married Dec. 27th, 1953 in Whiting.

Nadine finished her teaching career that school year and became a homemaker and "park officer's wife". They lived in Wapsipinican State Park at Anamosa, Oak Grove Park at Hawarden, Dolliver State Park at Lehigh, and Don Williams County Park at Ogden. Nadine worked on many tasks within the park system, including making meals for employees, painting signs and picnic tables, planting miles of honeysuckle, and checking in campers.

Nadine took her job as homemaker seriously, working hard to make sure that everything was kept clean and that everyone was healthy. She enjoyed trying different recipes in fixing healthy meals and delicious desserts. Between collecting many household hints and her own knowledgeable creativity, she always found a way to accomplish what was needed.

As a mother, Nadine was intuitive and supportive. She taught the importance of viewing situations from another's perspective. She demonstrated generosity, patience, and perseverance, and she was quick to express pride in all accomplishments.

When Loren retired from park service, they moved to Boxholm. They deeply enjoyed the years living there and the many friends and activities they were a part of. Attending area senior dances was definitely a highlight of their retirement years.

Nadine was preceded in death by her parents, husband Loren, brothers Dare, Bob, Jerry, Thorne, Dean, and Deon, sisters Betty McCaw, Dawn Wiley, and Sue Gries.

She is survived by a sister, Jerrine Clark of Omaha; daughter Denise (Clifford) Ott, grandchildren Timothy, Melanie, and Mikayla Hance, and great-grandchildren Dakota and Dayton Hance and their mother Catherine Shilling.