Chester "Chet" Nordling

Chester "Chet" Nordling, WWII Veteran, age 101, formerly of Liberal, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2025 at the Primrose Retirement Center in Rogers, Arkansas. 

Chet was born May 30, 1923 on a farm in Nekoma, Kansas. He was one of six children. After Chet graduated from high school, he went to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Kansas City, Missouri. 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.

On his second voyage; November 24, 1943, the ship broke in half during a storm in the Aleutian Islands and sank. Chet had vivid memories of the giant waves pulling the prop of the ship out of the water. After thirty hours, they were finally rescued, but ten brave lives were sadly lost that day.

After the war ,with the help of the GI Bill, Chet enrolled at McPherson College, where he pursued a law degree. He graduated in 1949. Chet then entered Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, where he graduated with a law degree in 1951. After graduation, Chet joined the Vance, Hobble Law firm in Liberal, Kansas as a junior partner. He rose to senior partner at the same firm, which was then named Nordling, Sharp, Newbauer, and McQueen Law Firm. Chet also served on the board of Southwest Developmental Services, and together with Governor Bob Dole, was instrumental in helping change Kansas laws to benefit the disabled.

Chet was an awesome golfer and could have gone pro. He loved fishing, too, especially with his sons, grandsons, and nephews. In 1952, he married LaVerne Trahern, becoming a father to Trudy, her 8 year old daughter. Together, Chet and LaVerne had two sons, David and Jeffrey. They were married until she passed away in 1999.

In 2005, a long-time friendship turned into love. Chet moved from Liberal, Kansas to Bentonville, Arkansas and married Marjorie Montgomery. They were married for nine and a half years when she passed away in 2014.

Chet was preceded in death by his two beloved wives, LaVerne and Marjorie; his daughter, Trudy; his son, Jeffrey; his siblings; and his granddaughter, Misty.

He is survived by his son, David (Mary) of Hutchinson, Kansas; Tom and Tracey Montgomery of Rogers, Arkansas; grandchildren, Wendy (Rick) Claussen of Richfield, Kansas, Jeremiah (Alyssa) Nordling of Overland Park, Kansas, Eric von Gremp of Arkansas, and Nick von Gremp of New York; great grandchildren, Candance and Keri Claussen of Richfield, Kansas, and Leo and Adrian von Gremp of Arkansas; great-great grandchildren, Paige Claussen of Pittsburg, Kansas and Tyne Ellis of Richfield, Kansas.

Chet was also blessed with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends, and was always so excited to see them.

Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, February 4th at 10:00 am at the First Christian Church in Bentonville, Arkansas. 

Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday February 26th at Restlawn Cemetery.