Helen Freda Riddle

Helen Riddle was born on January 28, 1925 to Leo & Freda (Bodtke) Naiman in Gilead, NE.  She passed away on October 23, 2022 at Gardenside Long Term Care Center in Fairbury, NE.  Helen attended school in Gilead through the 11 ^th grade.  She taught Sunday School for many years at Carleton, NE and later was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Hebron, NE and Faith Lutheran Church in Fairbury, NE.

She was confirmed on May 1, 1938 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Gilead, NE.  On December 21, 1941 Helen married Fred Riddle at the same church and they made their home by Alexandria, NE on a dairy farm.  Helen worked many hours milking approximately 80 cows in their dairy barn.  She loved all the cows and calves and had names for all of them, but her pride and joy was her dog Midge.  Helen began working at the Blue Valley Nursing Home in Hebron as a nurse aide.  After Fred passed away, she received her GED in 1988 at the age of 63, then began taking nursing classes in Geneva through a satellite program of Southeast Community College in Beatrice where she received her LPN degree.  She continued to work many years at the Blue Valley Nursing Home and retired at the age of 80.  She loved her work as a nurse and often made her famous cheese balls for the staff to enjoy.

After retirement, Helen moved to Fairbury to be closer to family.  She was a friend to everyone and her door was always open to visitors.  She loved sitting on her front porch where many cookouts were enjoyed, she was always ready and said “I’ve got the hot dogs”!  During her retirement, she went on many bus tours throughout the United States and an Alaskan cruise and traveled to Germany as well.  Her true love was playing cards with friends through the years and later at the senior center.  She also enjoyed reading and watching Nebraska Volleyball and Football.

Helen always wanted to tell others about her baby sister Doris who was born on Christmas Day.  That was her best Christmas ever!

Helen is survived by sister Doris (Orvil) Reinke of Fairbury, nieces Jeanette Bessler of Beatrice, Lisa Specht of Fairbury and Lori (Steve) King of Topeka, KS and great nieces and nephews Jacob (Kassi) Bessler and twin daughters Rilynne and Whitlee of Plymouth, NE, Jenna (Terry) Carlock of Albany, MO, Kayla Specht and fiancée Cody Sodowsky of Fairbury, and Tanner Specht of Fairbury, sister-in-law Frieda (Harold) Huber of Mahaska, KS and nephew Melvern (Donna) Naiman of Belvidere.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Fred Riddle, brothers Earl, Ernest and Melvin Naiman, and sister Ella Haddan.  Brother-in-laws Chub, Dale, Glen and John Riddle and sister-in-laws Alice Wells and Margaret Cawley.

Services will be Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 11:00 at Faith Lutheran Church with Pastor Kenneth Hart officiating.  Memorials to the Family’s Choice.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com