Helga V. Nedergaard, 102, of Wayne, died Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 at Wayne Countryview Estates.
Services will be held at a late date.
Arrangements are with Hasemann Funeral Home of Wayne.
Johanna Helga Victoria Swanson was born near Dixon on Dec. 11, 1919 to Olaf and Hilma Swanson. She grew up and graduated from high school in Hartington. Following graduation and employment in Hartington as a secretary, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she served on the staff of Nebraska Third District U.S. Representative Karl Stefan. On Feb. 19, 1949 she married Gordon M. Nedergaard of Obert. The couple settled first in Hartington before moving to Norfolk, Sioux Rapids, Iowa, Winside, and finally to Wayne where they resided for the rest of their lives. Gordon passed away in 1984.
Helga worked in a number of secretarial jobs including service as Clerk of the Wayne County court, while engaging in the more difficult task of raising three children. A loyal member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (later Our Savior), she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served on several committees including the church council. In her retirement years, she served numerous charitable institutions including Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity among others. She enjoyed traveling to visit the grandchildren and to see the world with her sister, Anne, and friends.
Helga was a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother as well as a great friend to all. Her generosity and willingness to reach out to others served as a sterling example to her family.
Survivors include her daughters, Karen (Tim) Lemmon and Kris (Breck) Giese; son Eric (Jenny), five grandsons, one granddaughter, seven great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, three nephews, four nieces, and a large extended family and group of friends.
Helga’s husband, Gordon; her parents; beloved sisters and brother, Elsie, Anne, and Eddie and their spouses; and many close and lifelong friends preceded her in death.
