Audrey Nadine (Neal) Shepherd (2011)

NEAL, SHEPHERD, BLOHM, ISENHART, DRAKE, BEJARNO, WELLS, BEAMAN, KNESS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber (email)
Date: 1/11/2020 at 08:41:42

Kuhn Funeral Home
Dexter, Iowa

Audrey Nadine Neal was born June 27, 1923, the fourth child of Kenneth and Ruby Blohm Neal. Except for a short stay in California where the Neals moved for Ruby’s health, the family lived on various farms in the Dexter area. Nadine graduated from Dexter High School in 1941 and received a rural teacher’s certificate from Iowa State Teacher’s College (now UNI). She taught two years at the two-story school by Bear Creek Church, and then two years at Union #5, two miles east of Bear Creek.

While on leave from the US Coast Guard station in Chincoteague, VA, John Shepherd married Nadine Neal on March 18, 1944 at the Presbyterian church in Dexter. As John had to return to duty, Nadine remained at her parent’s home to finish the school year. Daughter Susan was born August 11, 1945, and John received his honorable discharge shortly thereafter on January 21, 1946. They lived on several farms in Waukee and Earlham, before moving to the farm they later purchased (owned by B.C. Hemphill) southeast of Dexter. Son Kenneth was born February 22, 1947, and two more sons were welcomed: Jon Neal on December 30, 1950, and Michael Swain, born November 1, 1961.

Nadine began to play the piano for Sunday School at about age 12, then taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was president of Presbyterian Women. She was an ordained Elder, sang in the choir, and organized and directed a youth choir for 16 years. She had the pleasure of starting a new little choir in 2000. John and Nadine also carried congregate meals for over 20 years. Her greatest joy, besides her family, was playing the organ and piano for her church for over 65 years. She has furnished music for the church serv ices and has played for over 200 funerals and weddings. As well as being married in the church, John, Nadine and all four children were baptized there.

There were never enough hours in a day for Nadine. She had a tremendous energy level and had so many interests. She especially loved crafts, sewing, and gardening. She always had beautiful flower gardens in addition to the vegetable gardens. In her later years, she enjoyed reading and making quilts for her grandchildren, but still worked outdoors at every opportunity. Until the last several years, she enjoyed her computer, using it to keep in touch with friends and family by email. She often took cookies and visited the elderly and shut-ins.

Nadine and John’s greatest sorrow was the loss of two sons, Jon Neal and Michael. Both Nadine and John adored their six grandchildren and their six great grandchildren.

Preceding her in death are her husband John, and two sons, Jon Neal and Michael Swain, brothers Warren and Willis (Bill) Neal. Nadine leaves behind her loving family: daughter Susan (Tom) Isenhart of Bellevue, WA; son Ken (Jeani) Shepherd of Dallas Center, IA; six grandchildren: John (Julie) Isenhart of Bellevue, WA; Phillip Isenhart of Dallas, TX; Sarah Isenhart of Bellevue, WA; Jason (Lisa) Shepherd of Schaller, IA; Abbey (Trent) Drake of Urbandale, IA; and Betsy (Marco) Bejarno of Grimes, IA. Also surviving are her six great grandchildren: Emilie Nadine Isenhart of Bellevue, WA; Ian William, Noah Michael and Tatum Jean Shepherd of Schaller, IA; Gavin Avery Drake of Urbandale, IA, and Max Alexander Bejarno of Grimes, IA. Also surviving are Nadine’s two sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) Wells of Dexter, IA and Marian Beaman of Adel, IA; and sisters-in-law Doris Neal of Dexter, A, Helen Neal of Stuart, IA; Mildred Kness of Des Moines, IA; and Betty Shepherd of Stuart, IA; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Burial was made in the Dexter cemetery.