Nadine Joyce "Nana" Asher

NADINE JOYCE (VANDERAU) ASHER Jesus called Nadine to her home in heaven May 5, 2025. She was born February 7, 1943, in Chicago, to Wilhelmina Ruth DeYoung and Ernest Ray Vanderau. She grew up on a farm near Lewiston, MN, graduated from St. Charles High School in 1961, and began Winona State College on 3 scholarships. She worked her way thru to graduate in 1965 to be Junior High Librarian in Owatonna, MN. Receiving a federal fellowship to work on her Master's degree, she attended the University of Minn. to study Library Science and Audiovisuals. She earned her M.A. Degree in 1968 and moved west to teach in Forest Grove, OR. She was the librarian/audiovisual person over 19 years when the family moved to the Chicago area. While teaching, she met the son of one of the school staff and married Milton Asher in 1971. In 1976 they had a baby girl named "Sheera" (song). The family has lived in Oregon, Chicago, Alaska, Spokane and Mead, WA. Her hubby loved to fish and hunt, so Nadine learned to help cut up venison, elk, and moose for the freezer. In the 1990s she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue so learned to live with limitations. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed Bible study groups. Always involved in sewing and crafts, she made hundreds of quilts and pillows for CASA, benefitting kids going into foster care. Nadine had a big smile to greet others, was willing to help anyone, and enjoyed family and friends. She liked gardening with flowers and veggies, plus canning fruits and jams. In 1999 she became Nana to Faith, then Patience and Trinity. (Her best nickname was Nana!) Now God has given her a body without aches and pains. Nadine was preceded in death by hubby Milt, daughter Sheera, parents, & sister Joan. She is survived by grands Faith, Patience, & Trinity, sister Elaine Leadabrand (MN), sister-in-law Cathy May (OR), nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Always wishing she could carry a tune, Nadine can now make music to worship her Lord and Savior, Jesus! Be happy for her! A funeral service will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 22 at Heritage Funeral Home, 508 N. Government Way, Spokane, WA 99224. Interment will be immediately following at the Washington State Veterans' Cemetery in Medical Lake. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Nadine's name to Hospice of Spokane or Habitat for Humanity of Spokane.