Nadine E. (Wade) Skinner, 101, peacefully passed away September 10, 2021 at the Trinity Center at Luther Park. Private graveside services will be held at Highland Memory Gardens. Due to COVID, memorial services will be held at a later date. Nadine was born in Weldon, Iowa, on May 20, 1920 to Thomas and Alta (Young) Wade. She graduated from Weldon High School and then the CCCC (4 C’s) Business College in Des Moines. She married John N. Skinner in 1941 and they had six children. They celebrated 68 years of marriage before his death in 2010. Before her marriage, Nadine worked as a stenographer. Recently married, and with the onset of WWII when married women were not allowed to work in private businesses, she worked briefly at the ordinance plant in Ankeny, manufacturing ammunition for the war. After most of their children were raised Nadine went to work for Thermogas Co. as an Executive Secretary until her retirement at the age of 66. She then immediately began volunteering 5 days a week; Pleasant Hill, Garton and Amos Hiatt schools, Ramsey Home, Mosaic, and Methodist Hospital where she retired after 16 years at the age of 90 only because her failing eyesight no longer permitted her to drive. She loved to help wherever needed and was very proud when she was named the “Des Moines Volunteer of the Year” award in 1994. She was also active in Eastern Star and her church, Capitol Hill Christian. Most of all she loved seeing her family together at her monthly birthday dinners and, of course, the annual Lake Okoboji family vacations.

Nadine is survived by her children; Mary Engdahl (Bob), Tom (Marilee), Janean Lasswell, Jim (Maria), and Virginia Constable (Shawn), grandchildren; Gary and David Fischer, Jason, Tony, and Zac Skinner, Jill Pfannebecker and Corey Ross, Julia Palzer and Augie Skinner, John and Jake Skinner, Kristi Weber, Wendi Barnes, Matt and Justin Constable; and 30 great grandchildren (plus one on the way). She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, son Perry, son in-law Lary Lasswell, grandson Mike Pfannebecker, brother Glendal “Sport” Wade, sisters Normalee Quayle and Naomi Hunter.

The family would like to thank the Trinity Center staff, especially her best friend there, CNA Beatrice Gizzie, for their wonderful care and friendship. Memorials may be directed to the family in loving memory of Nadine.

She was truly one of the Greatest of the Greatest Generation.

Please go here to watch the live stream around 11:30 am on Tuesday, September 14th, and after the event it will remain and can be viewed at anytime.