The family of 90-year old Nadine (Beers) Beckenbach of San Antonio, TX, a native of Chadron, NE, and a graduate of Chadron State College, is encouraging friends and loved ones to gather in their own place of worship to honor her memory.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that memorial contributions be made to Texas Chihuahua Rescue, local public library funds, the Magik Theatre in San Antonio, or your local children’s theaters or animal rescues.
Online condolences may be left at funeralcaringusa.com.
Nadine Delores (Beers) Beckenbach was born to Charles Lester and Edith Fern (Newberry) Beers on December 10, 1932 in Chadron, NE (Dawes County), 10 minutes after her twin Maxine Doris. She was called home by her heavenly father Sunday, June 18, 2023.
Nadine’s father taught instrumental music in western Nebraska and her mother played piano at the Baptist church the family attended. This combination helped inspire a lifetime love of singing and music for Nadine and her sisters.
Growing up, she spent her summers at church camps in the Black Hills, where she said a piece of her heart always belonged. As a little girl. she saw each face on Mt Rushmore as it was revealed.
A graduate of Chadron State College, Nadine devoted much of her life to educating children and encouraging a love of reading.
After teaching in Hyannis, Coleridge, Arcadia, and other schools in Nebraska for over 10 years, she worked at the Montfort Meat Packing Plant in Grand Island, NE. This encouraged her bravest decision yet: joining the Department of Defense as a librarian.
In 1987, Nadine left everything and everyone behind to travel to Clark AFB at Luzon in the Philippines. In 1991, she was evacuated aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln as a part of Operation Fiery Vigil during Mt Pinatubo’s eruption in the Philippines.
Next, she was assigned to the Panama Canal Zone until after 1995 as the region was transferring sections over to Panamanian control. This led to a family joke that wherever Nadine went, international intrigue followed.
After Panama, she transferred to Kadena AFB on the Japanese island of Okinawa. It would be her final posting with the DOD schools as she retired in 2000.
Nadine’s retirement years were spent helping to care for her twin until Maxine’s passing in 2001, enjoying time with family and friends, reading her Bible, substitute teaching for Northside ISD in San Antonio when able, and loving everyone with a grace only God can give.
Nadine married twice.
She is survived by her daughters Lerae Stephens (Greg), Pollie Wilen, Edith Beckenbach, and Nancy Binger; grandchildren Kyle Dwinell (Megan), Aaron Dwinell (Rachel), Nicholas Beckenbach (Allie), Joshua Wagner (Kate), Robert Binger (Amy), Rose Marie Fraser (Landon), Cheyenne Stephens, and Ariel Stephens; 15 great-grandchildren; 4 nephews; 1 niece; and numerous friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.
Nadine now joins her parents and sisters – Maxine Leishman, Janie Hetrick, and Charlette Sause – in the heavenly chorus.
Funeral Caring USA of San Antonio is in charge of arrangements for Nadine (Beers) Beckenbach