October 27, 1934 – December 25, 2025
Dorothy “Nadine” Mathre, 91, of Nora Springs, Iowa, passed away peacefully in her sleep due to kidney failure on Thursday, December 25, 2025.
Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, January 3, 2026 at the Nora Springs United Methodist Church, 202 N Hawkeye Ave, Nora Springs. Burial will be in Spring Grove Cemetery, Nora Springs.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Friday January 2, 2026 at Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 N Hawkeye Ave, Nora Springs. Those planning to attend either service are encouraged to wear something pink, Nadine’s favorite color.
Nadine was born on October 27, 1934, in Nora Springs, Iowa, to Virgil and Emma (Kluger) Gast. She graduated from Nora Springs High School in 1952, where she was active in athletics and developed a lifelong love of basketball, earning three varsity letters. Following high school, Nadine attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she earned her associate degree. She later worked for twelve years at Northwestern States Portland Cement Company as their PBX telephone operator and was fondly remembered as “the voice with a smile.”
In February of 1961, Nadine met Richard “Dick” Mathre on a blind date, set up by Lenore Forbes. Their relationship quickly blossomed, and they were married on September 11, 1962, at the EUB Church in Nora Springs. Together, they built a life rooted in love, hard work, and family, spending their years farming and raising two daughters. In 1968, the family moved from Mason City to a farm north of Nora Springs. Nadine took great pride in caring for her family and was well known for having the noon meal ready right on time each day.
Nadine was always on the move and deeply involved in her church and community. She was a devoted member of the Nora Springs Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Nora Springs Historical Society, Pleasant Ridge Club, Sunshine Circle, and bridge clubs too numerous to count. Bridge was her favorite pastime, and her calendar often revolved around her playing schedule. Nadine also enjoyed cooking and generously gave her time helping prepare and serve funeral luncheons and fellowship meals. A lifelong sports fan, she especially enjoyed cheering for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, the Green Bay Packers, and the Minnesota Twins.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Jamie Koehler, Nadine’s caregiver for the past two years. As well as a thank you to Terry Sprung and Karen Westphal for being such great friends to Nadine throughout the years.
In lieu of flowers, Nadine would have preferred donations to local Nora Springs groups such as the Nora Springs Fire Department, American Legion of Nora Springs or Nora Springs United Methodist Church. Care Initiatives Hospice is another option, as they gave her a peaceful, painfree last few days.
Those left to cherish memories of Nadine are her daughters, Amy Mathre and husband, Paul Hedman, of Park City, UT, and Bunny Mathre of Rochester, MN; sister, Mabel Hays; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Nadine is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brother-in-law Dave Hays, three nephews and one niece.
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