In Memory
Nadine Lena Miller Fidler Aug. 17, 1929 - April 11, 2020 SPEARFISH, S.D., —Nadine Lena Miller Fidler, 90, of Spearfish, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2020, at Spearfish Hospital after a battle with cancer. She was born Aug. 17, 1929, in McCook, Neb., to Charles Jr. and Francis (Shook) Miller. She attended school in McCook, graduating in 1946 where she was a cheerleader. In 1948, Nadine earned her associates in arts from McCook Junior College. As a teenager, she worked in the store of the family dairy, Cloverleaf Dairy. She married Raymond Fidler on Oct. 22, 1950, at the Memorial Methodist Church in McCook. In 1955, she and Ray moved to Spearfish to start their own funeral business, establishing the Fidler Funeral Home, eventually acquiring McColley Funeral Home, later adding the Roberts Funeral Home with adjacent hardware store in Sundance, Wyo., and Daniel Funeral Home with adjacent flower shop in Lead, S.D. For many years, Nadine was the only female licensed funeral director in South Dakota. Nadine was secretary to the Spearfish School superintendent from 1955-1959. Nadine was a talented and accomplished vocalist and pianist and shared her joy of music with her church. She served as choir director, organist, and soloist for worship, weddings and funerals for decades. She also served as a Sunday School Teacher and deacon at the Spearfish United Church of Christ. Nadine enjoyed many activities within the Spearfish community while serving as chairman of the Community Concerts, Easterseals and Black Hills Passion Play. Nadine continued her college education at Black Hills State University after moving to Spearfish and sang with the college choir. She had been a long-time supporter of the Black Hills State University Foundation and was honored to be named their 2013 Swarm Day Grand Marshal. Nadine was a 60-year member of Queen City Chapter Order of the Eastern Star in Spearfish and the Electa Chapter in Sundance. She held many offices and served as worthy matron several times. At the state level, she served as worthy grand matron in 1997-1998. She was also a member of Daughters of the Nile where she served as Queen of Ismah Temple in 1991. In both organizations she served as organist, soloist and choir director. Nadine is survived by her five children and four grandchildren: Elisabeth (Martha), San Diego, Calif.; twins, Baron (Janna and grandson, Conrad) Draper, Utah and Bradford, Spearfish; twins, Claudia Padfield (Don, grandchildren, Asher Flannery) Nashville, Tenn.; and Cosette Thoms (granddaughter, Camille) Davenport, Iowa. Nadine was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her parents; a granddaughter and five siblings: Charles Francis, Charlotte, Virginia May, Claudine, and Beverly Jean, as well as her grandparents, Lena and Charles Miller who raised her and Charlotte following the devastating flood of 1935. Private burial will be Saturday April 25 at Rose Hill Cemetery, Spearfish. A public memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Spearfish United Church of Church or South Dakota Eastern Star Educational Fund.
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