Nadine P. Fritzler passed away on April 11, 2025, at Monument Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. The Celebration of Life will be at 2:00pm, Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel, 3201 Ave B., Scottsbluff, NE. Cremation has taken place.
Nadine was born September 16, 1938, the daughter of Carl and Pauline (Dahlberg) Benzel of Minatare, Nebraska. She grew up helping on the family farm, near Minatare, and enjoyed various sports and vocal music during her youth. She was a member of the ’56 Minatare High School Senior Class. After graduation she was employed by Eckhardt’s Cleaners in Scottsbluff. She married Conrad Fritzler at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Parsonage in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, on October 31, 1959. That date was often humorous because it was chosen due to snowy autumn weather halting fall harvesting. Together they farmed and ranched near Alliance, Nebraska, until the mid-1980’s. To this union a son Gregory was born in October 1960.
Nadine was always the consummate farmwife. She tended to a large garden, usually freezing and canning everything harvested from it, and taking flowers to the county fair. Nadine was known to be an excellent cook and baker. She had a very clever palate as she could often duplicate recipes after tasting a new dish. Caring and raising barnyard animals was a passion, especially caring for her favorites, the little ducklings. There were always the numerous barnyard cats and dogs she loved. Nadine could also be found on the farm doing fieldwork, hoeing beanfields, irrigation chores, as well as branding, dehorning, and feeding cattle. In 1976, she returned to the retail workforce assisting in the opening of the new ALCO store in Alliance.
In early 1980, she was slowed by major surgery for Colon Cancer which impacted her the rest of her life but did not slow her down after recovery. The mid 80’s brought major changes when Nadine and Conrad were forced to relocate from the farm in Alliance, to Scottsbluff, Nebraska, where she began working in Central Services at Regional West Medical Center and she retired from that position.
After Conrad passed away she decided to return to work at Aurora Loan Services until they closed. She then continued working part time for the State of Nebraska for a few years until health issues intervened. Nadine was always a fighter. After overcoming the colon cancer, she also recovered from a broken back in an auto accident, skin cancer, and 2 broken hips. Although slowed, she never stopped moving forward in her life. She was exceptionally proud to participate in the Western Nebraska Festival of Hope for Cancer survivors.
Over the many years she was a friend to many and often reconnected with former coworkers for lunches. Once Nadine became your friend, it was a lifetime friendship. All of her friends were amused by her absolute love of Dr. Pepper! Whenever she could indulge, she would be drinking it!
She was known for her kindness and willingness to help others. During her final years, her caring and love of cats was displayed. She tamed and found homes for several feral cats in the neighborhood. Thanks to her, several cats found permanent, loving homes.
Nadine is survived by her son Greg Fritzler of Denver, Colorado, sister Lorrine and brother-in-law Ben Hein of Scottsbluff, sisters-in-law Rowena Benzel of Gering, and Louise Fritzler of Alliance, Nebraska, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by lifetime friend Mary Crum of Alliance, Nebraska, and her high school best friends Sandra Gettman of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Jane Gabel of Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
Last, but not least, she is also survived by her beloved cats, Princess and Ollie.
She was preceded in death by her husband Conrad Fritzler, parents Carl and Pauline Benzel, brother Arthur Benzel and his wife Carol, brother Bernard Benzel, mother-in-law Eva Fritzler, and Conrad’s siblings and spouses Mary and Dave Martin, Eva and Ed Brehm, Henry Fritzler, Fred and Peggy Fritzler, Jake and Bonnie Fritzler, Alex and Dorothy Fritzler, infant Conrad Fritzler, nieces Linda Schaneman, Geraldine Anthony, nephews Larry Brehm, Fred “Fritz” Schnell and wife Pam.
Memorials in her honor may be given to the Panhandle Humane Society.