Nadine Marie (Langrehr) Dahling, 83, of Elkader, passed away peacefully listening to Christmas music, at the Elkader Care Center on December 22, 2025, with her family by her side.
Nadine was born September 3, 1942, the oldest daughter of Eldor and Lula (Herrs) Langrehr in St. Libory, NE. She was baptized on September 13, 1942, and confirmed on March 25, 1956, at Zion Lutheran Church in Worms, NE. Her Confirmation verse was Isiah 54:10. Nadine attended grade school at Worms Parochial Lutheran, Worms, NE, and graduated from St. Paul High School, St. Paul NE, on May 16, 1960.
After graduation, she worked for a bank in Grand Island for a short time. Nadine met Harold Dahling from Littleport, IA, while he was attending school in Grand Island. They were married on July 29, 1962, at Zion Lutheran Church in Worms, NE. They moved to the Elkader, IA area after the birth of their oldest daughter. They were later blessed with two more children.
Nadine was employed by the Central Community School District, preparing and helping serve lunches for 25 years. She retired in 1999. Nadine was involved with the Elkader Music Boosters, serving as a past President. She was also involved with the Elkader Jayce Ettes, serving as Vice President. Harold and Nadine enjoyed years of fun with the local square dancing club and spending time playing cards with friends. Nadine enjoyed helping her children and grandchildren with numerous 4-H projects, running them to their various sports and band practices, and attending many music concerts over the years.
Her family will remember the many excellent cookies, bars, and candies she would bake during the holidays. She made many quilts for special occasions such as graduations, birthdays and weddings. These quilts are now left to be cherished by her children and grandchildren.
Nadine had been a resident of the Elkader Care Center since June, 2023, due to complications from a fall and her battle with Dementia. Her face always perked up when the grandchildren or great-grandkids were mentioned or visited.
Nadine is survived by her husband of 63 years, Harold; their daughters, Marcia Arends, Elkader; Monica (Mike) McDermott, Bernard, IA; and son, Mark Dahling, Oelwein, IA; sister, Joyce Biebaum, St. Libory, NE; brother-in-law, Marvin (Annette) Dahling, Elkader, IA; grandsons, Billy (Carol Northrup) Burgin, Wayne (Breina) Burgin, John Burgin, Michael McDermott and Nathan McDermott; thirteen great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eldor and Lula Langrehr; father and mother-in-law, Carl and Lula Dahling; brothers-in-law, Richard Bierbaum, Keith (Geri) Dahling; grandson, Carl Burgin; niece, Suzanne Dahling; nephew ,Darryl Bierbaum and great niece, Kayla Brownlee.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Elkader Care Center, the St. Croix staff, Dr Lawlor and the staff at MercyOne for the excellent care they provided to Nadine.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader with Pastor Kate Johnson officiating.
Visitation: Monday from 9:00 AM until 11:00AM, December 29, 2025 also at the church.
Inurnment will follow at East Side Cemetery in Elkader.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.