Nadine Lavon Chiri Celander, 92, passed from this life peacefully on April 8, 2017 at Chariton Nursing and Rehab Center in Chariton, Iowa.

Nadine was born March 21, 1925, in Tipperary, Iowa, to Pete Chiri and Elizabeth Martinache Chiri as the oldest of seven children. Nadine graduated from Williamson High School Class of 1943 and quickly moved to Des Moines, Iowa, to work at her favorite job, an office job at Look Magazine. Nadine later worked in an ammunition factory, making bullets during wartime, and at the Des Moines Veterans Administration as a timekeeper. Nadine served her final employment years in the kitchen at the Knoxville Veterans Administration from which she retired.

Nadine then met and married Richard Dwight Celander. To this union, six children were born: three
boys and three girls. Starting the family in East Des Moines, Nadine whose nickname was "Tiny", and
Richard whose nickname was "Dick," both worked for Dick's father's family business, the Celander &
Sons Grocery. Eventually, they moved the family back near Nadine's parents' home in Williamson, Iowa.

Nadine is remembered as the mother who offered unconditional, forgiving love to her children, and
unending love for her husband. She was always there for her children and helped with purchases of
formula, diapers, and school clothes for her grandkids. She was always there for whatever you needed;
you didn't have to ask, and she never asked for it back. Nadine adored her grandchildren in her quiet
passionate way and loved to cuddle them as newborn babies. Nadine was a great cook, held huge
holiday meals, and hosted family gatherings with volleyball tournaments at her house in the
summertime. She was an avid Dodgers baseball fan, loved her blue Mustang, and took hundreds of
pictures of winter with ice on the trees. She feared boating (specifically the water) and snakes.

Nadine's red hair and freckles will never be forgotten, and Prell hair shampoo will always remind us of
her which is then quickly followed by remembrance of vinegar water hair rinses. She loved Christmas
gatherings and making Santa Claus Christmas frosted sugar cookies. Cheese popcorn and Pepsi were her favorites, and she always had a huge smile to greet you.

Nadine and her laugh and smile will be deeply missed by her family. She is survived by two children, Susan (Randy) Grove of Avon Lake, Iowa, and Nancy (Jim) Mundy of Altoona, Iowa, in addition to numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nadine was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Celander, her parents, Pete and Elizabeth Chiri, her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Pete Vairo, her three sons, Richard Celander II, Michael Celander, and David Celander, her daughter-in-law, Rose Celander. and her grand-daughter. Lynda McVey and other family members.

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