Nadia Gotberg

Nadia Joan Gotberg died November 17, 2024. She was 89. She was born November 13, 1935, in Alexandria, Minnesota, to C. Theodore and Josephine Johnson.

The second-born of five sisters, Nadia grew up on a farm in Garfield, Minnesota, where she shared a bed with two of her sisters. The small house had no indoor plumbing so the family collected rainwater in a cistern in the basement for laundry and bathing. They drew water from a well for drinking and cooking and kept it in a pail in the pantry. She was twelve years old when the family moved into a house in town that had running water in the kitchen and an indoor bathroom.

After graduating from high school in 1953, Nadia moved to Minneapolis for one year to work as a secretary and save money for her education. She earned an associate in arts degree from North Park Junior College (Chicago, Illinois) in 1956. While she was at North Park, she met Gordon Gotberg and they were married on June 14, 1958, in Alexandria, Minnesota. The couple lived in Detroit, Michigan, where Gordie worked in the auto industry. Together they raised four children.

Nadia was skilled in art and needlework. She excelled at anything she put her hand to—oil painting, quilting, cross stitch, sewing, basket weaving, knitting. She volunteered much of her time to the church teaching Sunday school, keeping financial accounts for women’s ministries, and co-organizing the annual Lucia market. She also found much joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially if a board game was involved.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon. She is survived by her children Marcy (Michael) Etienne, Kevin (Jane) Gotberg, Linda (David) Sladkey, Gary (Brita) Gotberg; eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Sharon Bartoo.

Peace be to her memory.