Nadine pfister

NADINE PFISTER

Iowa City

Nadine (Nighbert) Pfister, 84, of Iowa City, was called to Heaven on Monday, June 16, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service celebrating Nadine's life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at Christ the

King Lutheran Church in Iowa City, with visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the church.

Memorials in Nadine's memory may be made to the Nadine Pfister Memorial Fund.

Online condolences may be sent to her family at www.gayandciha.com.

Nadine was born Dec. 28, 1929, in rural Cedar County, daughter of Earl and Clara (Dauber) Nighbert. Don and Nadine were joined in marriage on Dec. 31, 1977.

She will be dearly missed by many, but they will be comforted with many wonderful and special memories. She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a genuine and faithful friend. Caring, kind, generous and hardworking describe her best.

Nature, flowers, gardening, camping, being outdoors, her special cat, Roxie, as well as traveling with her best friend and husband, Don, were things she enjoyed. They traveled to every state west of the Mississippi and to Canada, Vancouver, and ... one of their favorite trips was to Alaska! She loved quilting at church with her friends as well as spending time with her Red Hat friends ... they had a lot of fun. Playing cards and dominoes with her sissy and husband, as well as with special neighbors and friends, also were something she greatly enjoyed.

She and Don have been very blessed to have so many great neighborhood friends that have become like a second family to them.

Nadine's children would like to thank their stepdad, Don, and let him know how very much they appreciate the great and special care he gave their mother. Had it not been for his dedication to her, she would not have been able to stay at home until almost the very end. The last 4 1/2 years have been especially challenging as more strokes changed her. We know it was not easy and was very demanding and challenging. We also know how very, very much she appreciated it ... she did not want to be away from him or their home. Again, we are extremely grateful for all Don has done for her.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and thanks to all the great staff who took care of Nadine at Mercy Iowa City, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Cedar Manor Nursing Home in Tipton, Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center in West Branch, as well as hospice, and her doctors for their great care. We feel truly blessed!

Surviving are her husband, Don; children, Reggie (Sue) Swartzendruber, Amana, Vicki (Jerry) Wear, Iowa City, Randy (Joy) Swartzendruber, Kaufman, Texas, Kevin (Candas) Swartzendruber, Iowa City, and Melanie Justice, Iowa City; stepchildren, Kevin (Dana) Pfister, West Liberty, Lorie Stransky, Springdale, Ark., and Mike (Stacy) Pfister, Oxford; sisters, Marilyn (Larry) Sexton, Downey, and Carol (Bill) Small, El Dorado, Ark.; and many wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Clara Nighbert; sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Mel Sissel; brother, DeWayne Nighbert; and son, Darin Swartzendruber.