HALSTEAD?Helen Marie Hersh, 87, of Halstead, Kansas passed
away at Presbyterian Manor of Newton on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. She was born
Jan. 8, 1935 to George and Lovina Caldwell on their family farm in Culver,
Kansas.
Helen graduated from Tescott High School, where she was
active in vocal music, band, school plays, cheerleading and softball. She
attended the Halstead Hospital School of Nursing, where she earned her R.N.
degree.
She married Wilbur Nightingale, of Halstead, after
graduation. He died on Dec. 5,1957 from an automobile accident, leaving Helen
with a young son, Michael, and pregnant with daughter, Marda. Helen married
Dwight Hersh on Christmas Day, 1961. They were blessed with the birth of two
sons, Dwight Todd and Douglas. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding
anniversary and Dwight?s 90th birthday with family.
Helen is survived by her beloved husband, Dwight; sons Michael
(Donna) Nightingale, Halstead, and Todd (MaryAnn) Hersh, Ocala, Florida;
daughter Marda (David) Neufeld, Silver Lake, Kansas and sister Virginia Hull,
West Lafayette, Indiana. She is also survived by grandchildren Cy (Jenna)
Nightingale, Michael (Cassie) Neufeld, Ronald Hersh, Jay Nightingale, Anna
(Roman) Bolan, Cathy (Phillip) Hersh, Alex (Kassi) Neufeld, Patricia Hersh,
Lisa Hersh, and Heather Esch as well as 15 great-grandchildren. She was
preceded in death by her parents and brothers Lawrence (Lois), Raymond and
Arthur Caldwell.
Raymond?s wife, Florence, survives. Helen lost her youngest
son, Douglas, in a car accident in 1995.
Helen worked for 28 years as school nurse for
Halstead/Bentley Unified School District 440. Many will remember her simply as
?Nurse Hersh?. She had been a member of First Methodist Church of Halstead
since 1958. She was a choir member into her later years. An avid golfer, Helen
was a member of the Wedgwood ladies and couples golf clubs. She served several
years on the Halstead Golf Board. She was a member of the American Legion
auxiliary. Past memberships included the Kansas School Nurses Association, Club
Amicarum and Helianthos Jr. She was previously associated with the Halstead
Hospital auxiliary, the senior centers of Halstead and Toronto, Kansas and
volunteered for the Health Ministries Clinic in Halstead.
Helen was a vibrant and energetic woman who loved to be
outside. She was a ?tomboy? at heart. Helen was never one to pass up a good cup
of coffee! She cherished visiting with friends and family far and wide. She
loved spending time at her ?happy place,? their cabin on Lake Toronto. With
husband, Dwight, she enjoyed driving through the Kansas countryside. They visited and photographed every county
courthouse in Kansas. They also shared many travel adventures across the USA.
Viewing will be 2-8 p.m. and visitation will be 6:30-8 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 9, at Kaufman Funeral Home, Halstead.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday,Feb.
10, at First United Methodist Church, Halstead, Kansas. Burial will follow at
the Halstead Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Methodist Church
of Halstead in care of the funeral home.
