Nadine Zoe OBREGON

OBREGON, Nadine Zoe
Nadine Zoe Mortvedt Obregon, longtime Sacramento resident and beloved mother and grandmother passed away unexpectedly on January 6, 2012 in the home she loved. A Christmas baby, born December 25, 1932, in Story City, Iowa the only child of Palmer Mortvedt and Elma Johnson Mortvedt, she spent her youth and young adult years in Iowa, graduating from Lincoln High School in Des Moines Iowa, June 8, 1950. Working at the University Of Iowa Medical School as a medical stenographer and transcriptionist, she met and married the love of her life, Gonzalo Obregon, MD. They were married in Missouri on November 19, 1954 and lived in Iowa City, Iowa until 1958 when they moved to California to establish his medical practice, Sacramento Ear Nose and Throat.

Nadine's beauty and light touched everyone around her. She was a source of strength and inspiration for all those who were blessed to know her loving care. As a girl, some of her happiest memories were spent on her uncle and aunt's farm in Iowa; she loved being surrounded by 'her people' and enjoyed life on the farm. In her heart-of-hearts she was a Midwestern girl who was proud of her Norwegian heritage. In her youth she was very involved in tap dance, ballet and choirs at church and at school.

A devoted wife and mother of four children, she considered homemaking and family her highest calling. She was the consummate caregiver and a masterful organizer, planning parties and hosting celebrations of all kinds. A wonderful home cook, she was famous for her lemon meringue pies, Swedish meatballs and empanadas. Her gracious hospitality and kindness was legendary as she willingly opened her home and heart to minister and serve the needs of others.

The serene beauty of Lake Tahoe and her backyard rose garden brought her great joy and peace. With her husband of 57 years, they explored the world arm-in-arm. She particularly enjoyed the beautiful beaches of South Africa and the great European cities of London, Venice and Paris. In their later years they shared many winters in the sunshine of Ixtapa, Mexico with cherished friends and family.

Along the way, she was an enthusiastic Cub Scout den-mother, PTA volunteer, Sacramento Ladies Medical Auxiliary member, Sacramento Opera Guild member and a Del Paso Country Club Exercise Group member. She was a loyal and true friend to many and her love was boundless. Her life motto was 'Live, Laugh and Love'.

A proud grandmother of eleven extraordinary grandchildren ranging in age from one and a half to 30 years of age she delighted in hearing about the smallest details of their lives from cutting new teeth to final exams and bike races. Within the family she was known affectionately as Buggy, Bubba, Grandma Annie and BBC2.

Nadine is survived by her children and grandchildren: Patricia Obregon Lindau of Colorado Springs, CO with her children Paul and Rachel Lindau; Robert Palmer Obregon and his wife, Theresa, of Folsom, CA with their children Michelle Gurk, Matthew and Rebecca Obregon; Richard Gonzalo Obregon and his wife, Sarah of Denver, CO with their children Peter, Alexander and Jonathan Obregon; Mary Nadine Obregon and her husband, Daniel of Tucson, AZ with their children Kaitlin, Joseph and Benjamin Meyer.

We wish to extend our deep and heartfelt thanks to first responders in the area, to her dear caregivers and helpers and long standing neighbors.

We welcome friends to join the family for a memorial mass held at 1 pm on January 13 at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, 307 Montrose Drive, Folsom, CA, 95630. A private burial service will be held for family. Following the burial we ask friends to gather for a celebration of her life at Del Paso Country Club, 3333 Marconi Ave., Sacramento, CA, 95821. Memorial contributions can be made to: Sacramento Children's Receiving Home, 3555 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95821 or The Bud Roberts Memorial Scholarship Fund, 3333 Marconi Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821