Nadine W. Tucker

Nadine W. Tucker, age 82, of White River, S.D., died March 18, 2017, at her daughter’s home in Gillette, Wyo.

 

Nadine Winifred (Sumners) Tucker was born to Willis “Bill” and Winifred (Edmonds) Sumners on Dec. 18, 1934, at the Sumners family farm near White River. Growing up, Nadine and her siblings kept busy doing chores, riding their Shetland ponies, feeding the lambs and teasing their hired man, “Curly.” 

She attended school in White River, obtaining her GED after she quit school to help care for her younger siblings. She worked as a telephone switchboard operator and at Ranchland Drug.

 

On Feb. 23, 1952 she married her soulmate, Alvin Wayne Tucker. To this union, four children were born, Lynn, Dawn, Rita and Lance. 

Nadine and Alvin helped on the Sumner family farm, and assisted with caring for her mother-in-law, father and father-in-law until their deaths. She spent her life caring for others. They helped raise some of their younger brothers and sisters. Whether family or friend, there was always room for one more in her heart and home. 

 

She was a devoted homemaker and farm wife, spending many hours helping on their farm. She supported her children in all aspects of their lives, always demonstrating a mother’s loving grace. She took great pride in keeping a clean home. When you couldn’t get a spot out of some of your clothes you could always take it to G’ma Nadine.

 

Nadine was a strong woman, she overcame many health issues. She battled and won against cancer three times. She was an avid member of the American Legion Auxiliary, White River Lions Club, and the Red Hat Society. She was very patriotic, teaching her children and grandchildren the importance of the American flag, Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

 

Nadine loved family gatherings, with many shared hours of stories and laughter. At these get-togethers, the family got to enjoy another one of her talents – her cooking! Her cold water chocolate cake and frosting were always a big hit! She enjoyed Facebook, word search puzzles, music, shopping, marbles, and most of all, cuddling and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She created special memories for them by making a game out of counting semi-trucks on road trips, hiding the thimble, and leaving special hand written messages for them to find.

 

After Alvin’s death, and having too much time on her hands, her brothers often accused her of running the wheels off of her car! 

Nadine had a fun and spunky personality which family and friends loved!

 

Grateful for having shared her life are children, Lynn Leibel and her husband, Mike, of Gillette, Dawn Hill and her husband, Cliff, of Gillette, Rita Piper and her husband, Lon, of Gillette, and Lance Tucker and his wife, Tracy, of White River; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jim Sumners and Mary of White River, Pat Sumners and his wife, Sharon, of Pierre, and Dan Sumners and his wife, Oletta, of Deer Park, Wash.; two sisters, Goldie Reichardt of Hot Springs and Marge Desport of Covina, Calif.; and a host of other relatives and friends.

 

Nadine was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Tucker; her parents, Willis "Bill" and Winifred Sumners; three brothers, Ike, Jack and Johnny Sumners; and five sisters, Shirley Kuper, Myrt Larson, Billie Nordlie, Evelyn Dutoit and Ida Lorraine Sumners in infancy.

 

Visitation will be held 6-7 p.m. CDT, Friday, March 24, at the White River Methodist Church with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

 

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. CDT, Saturday, March 25, at the White River Community Events Center.

 

Interment will be at the White River Cemetery.

 

Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.