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Nita Joann Kordonowy, Adjunct Professor at Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies and Counselor and COR12 Clinical Coordinator at the Hazelden Foundation died on January 7, at her home in Lindstrom, MN. She was 66.

Nita was born in Dickinson, ND on February 27, 1953 to Frank and Stella Kordonowy. Her kind and humble spirit, was fostered in Belfield, ND, a small town near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, as one of a large Catholic family of grandparents, uncles and aunts, and 43 first cousins. She was a talented musician playing: organ, accordion, French horn and, for most of her adult life, she continued to play the guitar. After graduating from Belfield High School in 1971, Nita began her freshman year at the University of North Dakota as a pre-med student.

Nita served as City Auditor of Belfield, working alongside her father who served as Mayor, and was also a bookkeeper in Billings, MT and NV.

Nita returned to college at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas to continue a career in the health and medical field where she received a Bachelor of Arts, Psychology and Behavior Health. In 2006, she received a Master’s Degree in Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling at Hazelden Graduate School.
Even in Nita’s passing, she chose to help others by donating her body to the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Anatomy Bequest Program for medical research.

Nita is preceded in death by her parents Frank and Stella Kordonowy and brother Kenneth.  

She is survived by her son Nathan Ewoniuk and grandson Sy, sister Darlene, brothers Thomas (Janet) and David (Anita). She loved her nine nieces and nephews and 13 grandnieces and nephews and remained friends with cousins and high school friends. She was a collaborator and admirer of colleagues, students, and clients from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and grateful for their enriching her life.

The family requests contributions, in memory of Nita Kordonowy, to be sent to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Attn: Karyn Minar, PO Box 64348, St. Paul, MN 55164-9677 for Mission Possible.

Donors can call Karyn Minar (651) 213-4220 or the Office of Philanthropy, direct line (888) 535-9485 for credit card gifts by phone, or to answer questions. Checks can be made payable to “Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation” and include Nita’s name/Mission Possible fund in memo area.

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