Nada Faye Henderson Ashauer Floisand

Nada Faye Henderson was born June 15, 1935 in Pocatello, Idaho to James Woodland Henderson and Golda Brady Henderson.  She was the youngest sibling of Elizabeth Joane Jones and Dan Brady Henderson.  She grew up in tiny Arimo, Idaho, and Reedley, Porterville and Visalia, California.  Nada always said she had the happiest childhood and shared many memories, including being chased relentlessly by a chicken from the family coop that ended up, as a result of its obsession, being served up to her as Sunday dinner.  She was an accomplished violinist in her youth, a talent she passed down to her oldest granddaughter.  

She married her High School sweetheart, Teddie Joe Henderson (no relation, thank goodness-they met in alphabetically assigned seats in math class), and moved several times for his military postings.  After giving birth to children James and Rena, Nada and Ted divorced and she returned to California where she met and married Fritz Ashauer.  Son Fritz Daniel was born after the family moved to Santa Barbara, where they owned and operated a successful record store near UCSB. Nada and Fritz were like second parents to the teenagers they employed at the store and she kept in contact with many of them for years. Fearing the 1970's drug culture in that California college town, Nada eventually convinced Fritz to move us to Bountiful, Utah.  It was a huge change, but Mom's siblings were raising their families there, and her parents had moved back to Idaho, where we spent many happy summers. 
 
Over the years, Nada worked in various professions-everything from dental hygienist, to selling kitchenware in the basement of the old ZCMI, to being an executive admin at Primary Children's hospital and Autoliv International. Her favorite job was as business manager for local radio stations.  She received awards from the Salt Lake Broadcasting Association for her work in that industry and enjoyed perks such as attending Jazz and Buzz games in the corporate box.  During this time, Fritz and Nada divorced.  She later married the love of her life, Trygve Floisand, and they enjoyed flying in his airplane, boating on Bear Lake and Lake Powell, eating out, and traveling.  Favorite trips included Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Nauvoo, and traversing the Oregon Coast in their motorhome. Life was good. 

Nada was a dedicated daughter, wife and mother, and everyone's favorite aunt.  She was a "hands-on" grandma; one of her greatest joys was living close to all seven of her grandkids and watching them grow into terrific human beings.  Jim's girls spent many Sunday dinners at Grandma's house, where she kept candy in the oven that was seldom used for anything else.  Rena and Dan's kids visited her at her Snowbird timeshare and have great memories of Grandma's hotcakes and after-school ice cream.    

Nada passed away on February 5, 2023 after a short illness.  She was very active and independent to the end-just as she planned--living in her condo in Murray, Utah, walking twice a day at Fashion Place mall (where she used the employee entrance in true Nada fashion), and attending the Little Cottonwood 1st Ward.  She had a strong testimony of the LDS faith and was looking forward to seeing her loved ones who preceded her, including her parents, siblings, son Jim and husband Trygve.  Those she leaves behind are celebrating her life with the knowledge that she is at peace.  Many family members and friends were able to visit with her over the past several weeks.  I know she cherished that.  We would like to thank the caregivers at Sunrise Senior Living and Inspiration Hospice for helping Mom move beyond this last leg of her journey.  

Rena and Dan are hosting a gathering for family and friends on Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah.  A graveside dedication will follow at noon at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.  

Our family appreciates all the memories, thoughts, prayers and well wishes we have received.