Nadine Nelson Cassata

Nadine Nelson Cassata, age 89, passed away on November 10, 2023 in Tucson, AZ. Nadine was born in Kimball, NE, September 25, 1934 to Maurice and Enid (Edwards) Nelson, where she was raised on a farm in the Nebraska panhandle. Nadine began pursuing a degree in Music Education at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO, where she met her future husband, Don. She completed her degree at Colorado State College in Greeley, CO, graduating in 1966.

She began her career in Denver Public Schools teaching piano. When the family moved to Minnesota, Nadine continued her career in Robbinsdale School District teaching elementary music. In 1978, she took a leave from teaching and moved with Don to Cary, NC. During that time, she earned her Master's degree in Adult and Community Education at North Carolina State University. Upon their return to Minnesota, Nadine resumed her position as a music teacher. After her retirement in 1996, Nadine and Don moved back to Colorado to be closer to her parents.

Nadine and Don enjoyed traveling. Some of their special trips were to Switzerland and Scandinavia, where she truly enjoyed visiting the land of her ancestors in Denmark. She enjoyed Viking cruises to several locations in Europe. Her travel highlight was the Alaskan cruise for their 50th Wedding Anniversary where they enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren. She loved showing them a land she and Don had visited in the early 2000s.

She is survived by her children Stephanie (Dave) Hughes, Herb (Lisa) Hawkins, Dawn (Mike) Fjellanger, her beloved grandchildren Kaylee Plaziak, Lucas Fjellanger, Kamryn Fjellanger, many cousins and her cherished Uncle Pete. She is preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents, Maurice and Enid Nelson, and grandson Dustin Plaziak.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Sidney, Nebraska, Friday, May 17, 2024 at 11 A.M. at the Gehrig-Stitt Event Center, 1212 10th Ave, Sidney. Inurnment will be at 1:00 P.M for both Nadine and Don at Greenwood Cemetery.

Family will be available a.m. at 10:30 at the Event Center. You may view Nadine's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Services will be livestreamed on the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel Facebook page and recorded for later viewing on our website. Cremation has taken place and there will be no reviewal. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Nadine's care and funeral arrangements.

Nadine loved and supported the University of Minnesota Raptor Center. In honor of her father, she released a great horned owl that had been rehabilitated at the Raptor Center. She was always so happy to see these beautiful raptors released back to the wild. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Raptor Center in Minnesota, raptor.umn.org.