Nadine Alexander was welcomed into the world by parents Edward and Marjorie (Abell) on August 14, 1942. Nadine made the family complete when she joined older brothers Bill and Bob. The Alexander family lived on Concession 14 in Greenock Township. She attended Narva School and then on to Walkerton District Secondary School. Growing up on the family farm had many advantages. Nadine’s father and his brothers established their own cow herds, all focusing on the Hereford breed and together they founded Alexander Brothers Herefords. Nadine took an interest and was brought into the family operation at a young age. She showed Hereford cattle in 4-H and showed the reserve champion Hereford steer in the 1958 Queen’s Guineas Royal Agricultural Winter Fair at only sixteen years old!
Shortly after graduating from high school, Nadine continued her education and attended Lougheed Business School in Kitchener. Because of her love for the farm and to assist her parents, she wanted to return home each weekend. Consequently, a neighbour informed Nadine that there was a young man, from the neighbourhood, who was working in Kitchener. The contact was made, and a ride was arranged. Little did anyone know at the time that this would be for a lifetime. Ron began working for Nadine’s father and uncles in 1964 while they bonded over their love of farming and faith. Once she completed her schooling, she began working for Roy Weiler, an accounting firm in Walkerton. Ron and Nadine were married on September 24, 1966, at Paisley Missionary Church. Once they were married, they moved to the farm, purchased their first Herefords and Crystal Brook Polled Herefords began. In 1967, their family grew with the arrival of Sherry, followed by Shane in 1970, Melanie in 1973 and Myron in 1977. Raising their family didn’t stop Nadine and Ron from their work, involving the kids from the moment they were able. Assisting with chores and jobs around the farm kept everyone busy. This included a role and a lifestyle that was molded and would remain with them for much of their lives. It wasn’t all work and no play. Every year after the hay was done, there were many family trips to Inverhuron beach, or to Dornock Inn for meals. The Wells family took trips to Niagara Falls, Algonquin Park and went to Rochester, New York, for Christmas one year. They stayed at the Holiday Inn where they met up with other family members and even brought in their own Christmas tree! The Wells family was also known for their singing. They used a motorhome to travel to many churches and sang gospel music together as a family!
Nadine and Ron dedicated many hours to perfecting their seed stock selection and marketing techniques, taking many courses throughout the years. They showed cattle at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Mark of Excellence shows and the Canadian Western Agribition, winning many banners and trophies for champion and reserve champion animals that they bred and owned. They also received gold and silver Canadian Hereford Association MOE awards during their show career. Nadine and Ron would travel out west to the fall sales to buy cattle and visit different ranches. In 1985, Crystal Brook Polled Herefords was dispersed, and Nadine and Ron began a small elite herd of Polled Herefords and began Crystal Brook Fitting Services. They ran hands-on clinics for breeders at their farm for eight years and included sessions on cattle selection, fitting, showing and judging beef cattle, genetic heritability, performance data and carcass data. From 2000 until 2002, Nadine was the president of the Ontario Western Hereford Zone. She also assisted Ron as Secretary Manager for the Ontario Hereford Association which consisted of taking photos and writing articles for the Hereford Magazine. This was a position held for 14 years. Nadine and Ron spent many hours and energy with the Junior division of the Hereford Association mentoring children and assisting them in achieving their future goals. In 2016, Nadine and Ron were honoured at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Hereford Show, receiving their 50 year membership service pin from the Canadian Hereford Association.
Nadine’s faith was the foundation of her life and began at a young age. The Alexander family were avid members of the Purdy Chapel, attending church every Sunday and Nadine attended Sunday School every week. The Alexanders were actively involved with the church until it closed, and then began attending the Paisley Missionary Church. Nadine and Ron became very involved with the church when they were married. They both taught Sunday School, and Nadine was a member of the board at the church. Nadine took her personal relationship with God very seriously. She and Ron strived to become leaders within the church to help bring friendship, knowledge and expansion within the church.
If you have been blessed to know Nadine, you were probably at one point in time, been at an event hosted at Crystal Brook Farm. Nadine loved hosting everyone at the farm, including multiple church groups and both of their daughters having their wedding receptions there as well. She kept her property up to high standards and took great pride in all of the hard work they did, especially her flower gardens and fishpond. This included receiving first and second place in the Ontario Plowmans Association, Beautification Award, associated with the plowing match. Nadine loved being in the kitchen. From cooking homemade hamburgers (all homegrown beef of course) to baking biscuits and apple pie, all lessons that she learned from her mom. Nadine enjoyed listening to gospel music and also CBC radio.
Nadine was energetic, nurturing, meticulous, and beautifully spirited. She always reminded her family that there were no shortcuts in life, and this was a lesson to be applied their whole life. Nadine and Ron had a rare relationship that was so special and that was driven by faith and love. In fact, when Ron was away for work years ago, Nadine wrote him two letters while he was gone. He kept these letters in his bible for forty-six years and held them close to his heart. Nadine’s love in her heart grew even more when her grandchildren were born. With all four grandchildren growing up down the road from the farm, they spent hours together at the pond, riding bikes, snowtubing, and taking them camping. Nadine and Ron also immersed the grandchildren into the business, taking them to many cattle shows, the Royal and Canadian Western Agribition. They took any opportunity they could to spend time with their grandchildren and loved their time together.
Over the past few years, Nadine’s health became a challenge. One she took up and never gave up. Through faith and hope, she fought the good fight, knowing that God had her in his arms. Nadine’s health started to decline, and she passed away peacefully at Chapman House, Owen Sound on Thursday, February 15, 2024, in her 82nd year.
Beloved wife of Ron Wells for 57 years. Loving mother of Sherry (Leslie) Emke, Shane Wells, all of R.R.#2 Cargill, Melanie (Doug) Colwell of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Myron Wells of Toronto. Cherished grandmother of Michael, Ashley, Miranda, and Larissa, and great-grandmother of Kenton. Nadine will be missed by many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her grandson Jarrett Emke, brothers Bill and Bob Alexander, and her parents Edward and Marjorie (Abell) Alexander.
A celebration of Nadine’s life will be held at her favourite place, Crystal Brook Farms, #2253 Concession 14, R.R.#2 Cargill, on Saturday, June 8, 2024. More details to come.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Junior Hereford Association (cheques payable to Ontario Junior Hereford), Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce (Chapman House) or Paisley Missionary Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
