Helen Kling

Helen Lucile (Nydahl) Kling

...was born March 14, 1927 in the Rushville hospital; she was one of 8 children born to Algot & Hazel Nydahl. (Charles, 1918; Claude, 1920; Jack, 1923; Richard, 1925; Helen, 1927; Bill, 1929; George, 1931; Doris, 1933)

Helen was baptized in 1941 and confirmed in 1942 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Gordon, Nebraska.

Helen graduated from Gordon High School in 1945; she worked at Saults Drug until her marriage to Floyd Kling the following fall, Dec. 9, 1945. She always said she was the first to marry in her graduation class. Their marriage was blessed with 3 children. (Hazel Lanell 1947, Dennis John 1948, Danny Ray, 1956). After her marriage & immediate move from Gordon to the farm west of town, she learned to garden, raise & dress chickens, milk cows and feed the hogs. Helen learned to “cook on the fly”, a learn as you go experience. She got very good at making pies (sour cream raisin was her specialty) and canning pickles. Her good old-fashioned potato salad was the “best”. Helen enjoyed being part of the Pleasant Hill Extension Club and Lutheran Ladies Aid for years while living on the farm. She & Lois (Hull) Hinton, a long-time friend, could tell you about the good old days well into their 90’s! Helen taught Sunday School & Bible School, while her children were growing up. She loved to crochet; a skill her mother-in-law Augusta Kling taught her. 4-H was always a family activity, culminating at the Sheridan County Fair & Rodeo every year. After moving to town in 2008, Lavon Schwarting, a dear friend, taught her to play bridge. Helen was 81 years old at the time. She made many new friends and grew to love the game. Floyd, her husband of 66 years, passed away the last day of 2011.

Helen’s address was Gordon for nearly all her 99 years. She knew Jesus as Lord & Savior and truly enjoyed her church community. She lived across the street from Grace Lutheran in the years preceding her death. Helen could not have lived alone without the support & love of her church community. She adored Pastor Sherman and treasured their many conversations.

She is survived by her 3 children, 6 grandchildren & spouses, 16 great-grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, and a son-in-law. A beloved daughter-in-law, Jackie, preceded her in death Oct. 14, 2022.

Helen’s children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends will carry fond memories of the stories Helen told about “life” in the 9 decades she knew so well. The “dash” between March 14, 1927 — July 20, 2026 was a blessed life! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!