Mount Pleasant – Antonina "Nina" Catherine Kortendick, age 24, found peace in Heaven on December 22, 2023.

Nina was the first-born daughter of Jacqueline Randa and R. Scott Kortendick on June 23,1999. Soon afterward she became big sister to Abigail, Ava and Aiden Kortendick.

After graduating from J.I. Case High School, where she enjoyed volleyball, track and golf, Nina attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, graduated in 2022 with a degree in Public Health and went to work at Society's Assets, Inc. in Racine after completing a summer internship there.

One of Nina's friends described her as "the most beautiful soul I have been blessed to know. Your kindness, compassion and selflessness has made the world a better place…."

Nina brightened people's day everywhere she went with her graceful, sincere, caring presence. She made everyone feel special and loved. She even shared her joy internationally with an extended trip to Germany in 2021 to visit her distant pen pal "twin" Leone Kortendick. They met doing Ancestry research and became great buddies.

Nina and sister Abby participated in amazing mission trips with cousin Maddie and Aunt Pam with Shoreland Church in Milwaukee to West Virginia and Memphis to build homes and improve local community spaces. Other special times enjoyed with friends were at weekly Wednesday evening Grace Church Blaze Youth group hangouts and annual weekend retreats at "Big Chill" or summer vacation weeks at Village Creek Bible Camp in Iowa where the sisters were re-baptized in the lake.

In the neighborhood growing up, Nina was the self-appointed teacher and social coordinator to her siblings and most all the other children. She conducted summer school lessons, planned frog and tadpole expeditions in the nearby pond, led bicycle excursions, craft projects, dress up and spa pretend fun, sledding down the backyard hill or swimming in the neighbor's pool.

Great childhood neighbor friends Molly, Amanda and Emily along with other wonderful friends from middle and high school Kristy, Emelia and Abby S. enjoyed several trips around the US together in recent years and especially as a bridesmaid Emelia's wedding in September in Minnesota.

Nina and longtime boyfriend Cade Badertscher, who met at UW La Crosse, enjoyed hiking, trips to Colorado, and sporting events, including many of Cade's freshmen high school basketball coaching games.

Nina was the best big sister ever to her three siblings who looked -up and relied on her for guidance and strength through the years.  She was their superpower and rock, especially for Aiden.

In addition to her immediate family and boyfriend, Nina will be greatly missed by her grandparents, James P. Randa of Milwaukee, Catherine Kortendick of Racine and Russell D. (Kathy) Kortendick of Franksville; aunts, uncles, other relatives, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Antonina Viscuso-Randa and aunt, Kelly Randa.

Visitation will be in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm (prayer service at 8:00 pm). Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 6:00 pm at Old Saint Mary Catholic Church (844 N. Broadway, Downtown Milwaukee, WI 53202).