Dorothy Nadine Lindner

Dorothy Nadine Lindner was born near Primrose Aug. 28, 1927, a middle daughter to Arnold and Carmel (Starr) Bentzinger.

She and older sister Betty grew up on their parents’ rural farm as children of the Great Depression and World War II, joined later by a younger sister, Shirley. 

As a junior in high school at Donnellson, Nadine realized teaching would be her vocation. She followed Betty, taking a position at Sheaffer Pen Company in Fort Madison and began saving money for college.

Nadine attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls (now the University of Northern Iowa) as the war came to a close and completed the two-year program in May of 1947, accepting her first position as a sixth grade teacher in Clarinda.

In the fall of 1949, she took a sixth grade position at Torrance School in the Keokuk school district, happy to be closer to home.

She returned to school, eventually graduating from the University of Iowa before marrying Marvin W. Lindner on Dec. 23, 1956. In 1961, they welcomed their first child, Michael; brother Doug followed in 1965. Marvin and Nadine spent over 40 years together. He preceded her in death.

Nadine spent three decades teaching in Keokuk schools, and was a dedicated member of Chapter U, PEO, Iowa Retired School Personnel and the United Methodist Women of Trinity United Methodist Church.

She continued to live in the house she and Marvin helped build on the Lindner family farm outside of Keokuk until 2020, when she moved full time to the Kensington in Fort Madison.

Dorothy Nadine Lindner, 94, of rural Keokuk, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, at Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Ill. She is survived by her two sons, Michael (Keith Manning) of Portland, Ore., and Douglas (Lori) of Solon and Keokuk; granddaughter Kearce of Solon; grandson Kale of Cedar Rapids; two sisters, Betty Dougherty of Fort Madison and Shirley Mulligan of East Bethel, Minn.; nieces, nephews and many friends.

Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Keokuk, or the Donnellson Public Library.
A private burial will be held at a later date.

An open house celebrating the life of Dorothy Nadine Lindner of Keokuk will be hosted by her sons Michael and Doug on Sunday, Oct. 10, from 1-3 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Trinity United Methodist Church on 2330 Plank Rd. in Keokuk. Come share your memories with family and friends. Refreshments will be served.

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