Glenda Carder Nixon

Glenda Carder Nixon (91) of Las Vegas Nevada left this earth on February 2, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband Russ, granddaughter Lindsey, son in law Mark, her parents Gene and Glen as well as her brothers Bill and Mike.

Glenda was born in Lawrenceburg, Indiana on June 10, 1934, to Samuel Glenford and Imogene Peak Carder. She spent her childhood growing up in the Greater Cincinnati Ohio area with many summers being spent in her parent’s home state of Kentucky. Her stories of riding her grandfather’s plow horses from sun-up to sundown were treasures to her. She held that love for horses from those memorable summers forever. In her words she refused to get off – even when it was lunchtime, she would sit on the horse while it rested waiting for everyone to get back to work so she could continue her ride.

Horses were not her only focus growing up – she also helped her father with the scorebooks for his knothole baseball teams. It was here that she developed her second solid interest – which was the game of baseball. This, too, was a love she maintained throughout her entire life.

Glenda attended Western Hills High School in Cincinnati. It was there that she met her husband Russ – who was a baseball stand out for the school and the local American Legion Team. After graduation Russ was drafted into the Major Leagues by the Cleveland Indians and Russ and Glenda married during his first season in the minor leagues – on July 1, 1954. The great story here – is that the wedding party was made up of fellow teammates, no bridesmaids. It was a favorite story to tell – one of hundreds we all loved hearing.

During the majority of their marriage baseball was their lives – PERIOD! She was the ultimate baseball wife and loved the role. She could pack up her station wagon with a swing set, 4 kids and her Doberman at a moment's notice and be ready for a road trip to wherever Russ would be playing that season. During this time, they welcomed four children – Rebel, Christopher, Melissa, and Samantha. They experienced several moves over the baseball season but always maintained a home base in the Cincinnati area. The time that all the family were together was her favorite.

Baseball set the stage for lifelong friendships, and these were cherished. The stories and fun that was had were second to none. Glenda loved her role during this time and exuded that love and knowledge to the many baseball wives she met and developed lasting friendships with. Family, Baseball and Horses were her signature.

She was Glenda, Gita and Lala to 8 grandchildren (Chantal, Lindsey, Abigail, Kaylin, Culver, Clare, Ava and Lana) and 7 great grandchildren (Zeke, Pixie, Scott, Landon, Brecken, Belle and Arthur). She always listened to what made her kids, and grandkids happy and encouraged us to seek happiness even when what made us happy was not the people’s choice at the time. 

She taught us how to rock fashion and single handedly gave the world permission to wear leopard print on whatever and wherever you pleased. She also determined that “take me out to the ballgame” was in fact a Lullaby.

Glenda’s animals were also her family. She raised and showed Dobermans and West Highland White Terriers and remained true to those breeds. She leaves behind her loyal Westie Petey – who was a constant companion to her during their time together. She fell in love with the Arabian horse breed during spring training in Scottsdale Arizona where she attended the Scottsdale Arabian Horse show for the first time in 1962. She told Russ she was going to have one of these. She got what she wanted, and the love for this breed held fast for over 60 years. She leaves behind her final Purebred Arabian Simba – the son of two of her favorite horses. She loved many dogs and horses throughout her lifetime. So many that there is a good chance that the Rainbow Bridge required extra support for all of them waiting for her when she left us.

Glenda lived fiercely – fought fiercely – and loved fiercely. She was a true force in the lives of those she has left behind, and she will be missed fiercely. Daughter Rebel Dahlberg (Mark), Son Chris (Gloria), Daughter Misty Steinhauer (Mark), Daughter Samantha Linares (Mike), her 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren will miss her presence in their lives here on earth. Her favorite quote when she lost someone she loved was “they live on in their children and their children’s children”.