Nadine Nicholas Ness, age 95, of Brookings, died Monday, January 10, 2011, at the United Retirement Center in Brookings. Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M. on Thursday January 13, 2011, at Sinai Lutheran Church, Sinai, South Dakota with interment in the West Sinai Lutheran Cemetery. Visitations will be Wednesday, January 12, from 4 to 7 pm at the Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Nadine Nicholas Ness was born April 5, 1915. to Alfred and Delia (Wiren) Nicholas at Ree heights, South Dakota. She was very proud of her family and loved being one of ten children. After receiving her teaching certificate from Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, South Dakota, she taught in a Hand County country school and at Sinai Elementary.

Nadine married Lidnie Ness on July 12, 1942, in Puenta, California, where both of them worked in defense plants. Following the war, they returned to Sinai where they farmed for many years and raised their family.

After Lidnies health failed, Nadine moved to Brookings in 1991 where she continued her life-long interest in gardening, reading, walking, sewing, and bread-baking.

A member of Sinai Lutheran Church, Nadine served on the church council, sang in the choir, and participated in circle. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter BA, Friendship Garden Club, and Happy Hour Extension Club. She enjoyed serving as a governors appointee to the Council on the Status of Women in South Dakota.

Nadines unfailing optimism and sense of humor endeared her to many. Her consideration of others, focus on the goodness of life, and faith in God were an inspiration to her family, whom she cherished.


Survivors include her three children and their spouses: Larry and Diane Ness of Yankton, South Dakota, Suzanne and James Hegg of Bruce, South Dakota, and Jeanne and Dennis Unkenholz of Pierre, South Dakota. Grandchildren include Michael, Aaron, and Rob Ness; Daniel, David, and Nathan Hegg; Eric and Sarah Unkenholz; and Karin Hansen as well as 14 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers: Oliver Nicholas of Huron, South Dakota, and Kenneth Nicholas of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and three sisters: Doris Haber of Sioux Valley, California, and Charlotte Mangen of Worchester, Massachusetts. A number of nieces and nephews also mourn her loss.


Nadine was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Lidnie; one great-grandson, Jack Unkenholz; two brothers: Hoyt Nicholas and Wayne Nicholas; and two sisters: Gladys Kuehl and Amy Lewis