Ida M. Nadeau

Ida M. Nadeau, 81, of Soldier, KS, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Holton Community Hospital. She was born April 7, 1945 in Atchison, KS, the daughter of Tom and Ruth (Bidding) Watson.

Ida attended Effingham grade and junior high school. She graduated from Atchison County Community High School in 1963.

She was employed by United Tribes of Kansas and Southeast Nebraska, Inc. for 27 years as the Director of Employment and Training. At the request of Senators John McCain and Nancy Kassebaum, she testified before the Senate Committee to reauthorize the Native American and Indian Employment and Training Act. From 2002 until retirement in 2011, she was employed by Prairie Band Potawatomi Education Dept. as K-12 Student Services Coordinator.

Ida was a member of Holton First United Methodist Church and the Soldier Ladies Coffee Club. For over 25 years, she served the City of Soldier in a variety of positions including Mayor, Council Member, City Clerk and City Treasurer. She was the first female council member elected in the City of Soldier as well as the first female Mayor in Jackson County.

She married Leo A. Nadeau on April 4, 1964 in Holton, KS. He survives of the home. Other survivors include 3 daughters, Julie Bahret (Earl) of Soldier, KS, Peggy Hankerson (Terry) of Soldier, KS and Jackie Heideman (Bruce) of Corning, KS; 2 sisters, Cora Chamber of Atchison, KS and Ruth Dillon (Dick) of Effingham, KS; brother, Tom Watson (Bonnie) of Texas; 6 grandchildren, JD Bahret (Emily), Erikah Bahret (Sean Lloyd), Elyse King (Marques), Alyxis Haug (John), Kevin Heideman (Shayna) and Trent Heideman (Kristen) and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Ruth Watson and a great-grandson, Anderson Bahret.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 15, 2026 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton with burial to follow at Soldier Cemetery. Family will greet friends one hour prior to funeral service. Memorials may be given to the Soldier Fire Dept or Soldier Cemetery Board c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.