Helen Kai

Helen Ann (Habrock) Kai, age 99 of Dalton, NE and formerly of Pender, NE passed away at her home on Sunday, November 20, 2016 just a few months short of her 100th Birthday. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, November 23rd in the United Church of the Plains in Dalton with Pastor Wayne Pouppirt officiating.  Local services will conclude at the church.  Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Tuesday from 1-7:00 P.M.  A second visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender, with burial next to her husband, at 1:00 P.M. in the Wakefield Cemetery on Saturday, November 26th.   Memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s name to the Dalton Senior Citizens or the Dalton Fire and Rescue.  You may view Helen’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC and Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home are in charge of Helen’s care and funeral arrangements.      Helen was born February 15, 1917 in rural Thurston County near Emerson, NE to parents Lena (Harring) and Bernard Habrock. She attended country school near Emerson and graduated Emerson High School May 25, 1933. Helen began a long teaching career in 1933 at Wayne, District 73.  She completed Measurements in Elementary Education June 19, 1956 at State Normal School and Teachers College (now Wayne State) and received her teaching certificate on July 7, 1959.  Helen obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree April 1, 1963.  She married August Henry Kai, March 26, 1938 in Sioux City, Iowa.  They farmed in rural Pender, raising corn, millet, beans, hogs and cattle.  They had one daughter, Judith Luree. They retired from farming in May, 1983 and moved to Dalton to join Judy, Larry and kids in Dalton, Nebraska.She was a lifelong student and loved to teach young children how to read.   She was a voracious reader herself, excellent Scrabble player, and will be fondly remembered by all the quilts and blankets she sewed for each family member. She was preceded in death by her husband:  August, parents, brothers: Frances, George, Caryl, Wilbur, Roy and Ted.  One beloved sister:  Darlene Dolph, son-in-law:  Larry Berner and several nieces and nephews.Helen is survived by her daughter Judy of Dalton, Nebraska.  Helen was an amazing grandmother with close relationships with her four grandchildren: Wanda (Lyndell) Brogren , Bentonville, AR,Alan (Brenda) Berner, Dalton, NE, Sondra Thies, Sidney, NE and Jerred (Julie) Berner, Dalton, NE.  She will be deeply missed by eleven great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.