Obituaries

November 29, 1951 to February 21, 2024

WINAMAC - Rev. Nelda Jean Seger, 72, of Winamac, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

She was born Nov. 29, 1951 in Sparta, IL to the late Rev. Dr. M. James and Marilyn [Williams] Gardiner. She was the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and as such the family moved around the country a lot during her childhood. She graduated from high school in 1969, and later in life she earned a bachelor’s degree in education from IUPUI. Her first marriage was to Colin Buckhardt who died in 2004. With her father officiating, she married Jeff Seger on Oct. 9, 2010, at Macon Presbyterian Church. He survives.

Rev. Nelda Seger

She is also survived by:
John (Kelly) Quakenbush, Noblesville, Son
Matthew (Crystal) Quakenbush, Noblesville, Son
Carin Vergobbe, Sandwich, MA, Daughter
Charley (Linsie) Seger, Westphalia, IN, Son
Emily Vergobbe, Brattleboro, VT, Daughter-in-law
14 Grandchildren
Barbi (Kevin) Lockhart, Shelbyville, IL, Sister
Earlene Stevens, Stillwater, OK, Sister-in-law
Brenda Colber, Birdseye, IN, Sister-in-law
Gary (Michelle) Seger, Jasper, IN, Brother-in-law
Mike (Diane) Seger, Celestine, IN, Brother-in-law
Pat (Vicki) Seger, Ferdinand, IN, Brother-in-law
Marsha Seger, Bretzville, IN, Sister-in-law
Roger Brown, Huntingburg, IN, Brother-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews
Doris Matthews, Columbia, IL, Paternal Aunt
Numerous Cousins

Preceded in death by:
Adam Vergobbe, Son
Gary Stevens, Brother-in-law
Jim Seger, Brother-in-law
Rick Seger, Brother-in-law
Karen Brown, Sister-in-law

Following the death of her husband Colin Buckardt in 2004, Nelda began her journey to Christian ministry. The Winamac community was first introduced to her in 2009 as a student pastor at the First Presbyterian Church. She earned a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. During her studies at seminary school she met her future husband, Jeff. They were the perfect team, always supporting one another in all of life’s adventures. Her first ordination was as a minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She studied clinical pastoral education at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, and served less than a year as interim pastor of Westphalia United Church of Christ before returning to the First Presbyterian Church in Winamac where she served as pastor until her first retirement. After a brief hiatus from full time work, she took on the part time duties of administrator at the First Christian Church in Winamac. It was during this time, St. James Salem/St. John United Church of Christ called her to serve as their interim pastor and after becoming ordained with the UCC, she served as their full time pastor until retirement in August 2023.

Throughout her nearly 20-year career in ministry, Rev. Seger touched numerous lives through her loving kindness and sincere friendship. She enjoyed reading, knitting and quilting. She shocked her family with her canning skills, especially her legendary spaghetti sauce. She loved music, and always said she felt closest to God when worshipping through music. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. as well as a beloved sister, aunt, and niece who will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 23, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac, and one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 24, at First Christian Church in Winamac with Pastor Stephen Sundquist officiating. Private entombment will be at Pulaski Presbyterian and Community Cemetery in Pulaski.

Memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church or St. James Salem/St. John United Church of Christ or First Presbyterian Church.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.