Nadine Mae Melgren (Dykman) 88, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, February 28th.   She was born May 10, 1936, in Amoret, Missouri, the seventh of Claus and Katherine Dykman's eight children.  She married Willis Melgren on August 10, 1957, and they were privileged to share 59 years together before his passing in 2016.

After staying home with her young family, Nadine returned to school and graduated from Drury University with her bachelor's and master's degrees.  In the mid-seventies she began substitute teaching at Logan-Rogersville schools.  In 1984 she began teaching full time in the area of Special Education where she was a dedicated and loving teacher to students with learning disabilities.

Nadine retired in 2000 so that she could spend more time with her husband, Willis, who had retired in 1991. During retirement, the two of them enjoyed traveling in the continental U.S. and internationally. They remained very active in their church and with volunteer work but found their greatest joy in spending time with and caring for their grandchildren.

Nadine's faith was the cornerstone of her life and led all her actions. She and Willis joined Messiah Lutheran Church in 1966 where she served on numerous committees and was a leader in Christian Education. She taught Sunday School for over 50 years where she was loved by generations of children.

She was also active in the community in many ways, some of which included being a founding member of the Springfield chapter of Bread for the World, volunteering as a Reading Buddy at a local school, and serving at Crosslines food pantry.

Nadine was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and one sister, and her husband Willis. She is survived by her children William and Alex, Susan and Tim McGinnis, Lisa Melgren and Scott Estrem, Paul and Tara, Eric and Beth, 13 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, brother Edward Dykman, sister-in-law Dorothy Dykman, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 29th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, 925 East Seminole, with a Life Celebration following at 1:00.  Her ashes will be interred at the Veterans Cemetery at a later date.  Arrangements are under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church or Bread for the World.

Our family would like to express sincere gratitude to Access Hospice, Sutton In-Home Senior Care and Turners Rock staff for their kindness and support while we all cared for our Mom.