Chester "Chet" Nordling, 101, died Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 at the Primrose Retirement Center in Rogers, Ark.
He was born May 30, 1923 in Nekoma.
He married LaVerne Trahern in 1952. She preceded him in death in 1999.
He married Marjorie Montgomery in 2005. She preceded him in death in 2014.
After high school, he went to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Kansas City, Mo. At the start of WWII, he was drafted into the Navy Armed Guard at the Pacific Theater, manning the stern gun on two Liberty ships. He was deployed to the Aleutian (Alaskan) Islands.
After the war, with the help of the GI Bill, he enrolled at McPherson College, where he pursued a law degree. He graduated in 1949. Chet then entered Washburn University, where he graduated with a law degree in 1951.
After graduation, he joined the Vance, Hobble Law firm in Liberal as a junior partner. He rose to senior partner at the same firm, which was then named Nordling, Sharp, Newbauer, and McQueen Law Firm.
He also served on the board of Southwest Developmental Services and was instrumental in helping change Kansas laws to benefit the the disabled.
He was an awesome golfer and loved fishing, especially with his sons, grandsons, and nephews.
Survivors include children: David (Mary), Hutchinson; and Tom and Tracey Montgomery, Rogers, Ark.; grandchildren: Wendy (Rick) Claussen, Jeremiah (Alyssa) Nordling, Eric von Gremp, and Nick von Gremp of New York; great-grandchildren: Candance and Keri Claussen, and Leo and Adrian von Gremp; great-great-grandchildren, Paige Claussen and Tyne Ellis; and many other family and friends.
He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Trudy; his son, Jeffrey; his siblings; and his granddaughter, Misty.
• Funeral services took place Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 at the First Christian Church in Bentonville, Ark.
Graveside services with Military Honors will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 at Restlawn Cemetery.
Condolences may be left at millermortuary.net.
