Helen Bernice Nienkerk Hartman's Obituary
Helen Bernice Nienkerk Hartman was born in Little Rock Township, Minnesota, to Quintin and Vera Nienkerk, on July 12, 1934, and she passed away on March 29, 2026, at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Lakeland, Florida, surrounded by loving family members. Helen married Vaughn Franklin Hartman, who predeceased her, and together they had 7 children: Chris, Byron, Val, Julie, Denese, Darrell, and Dione, all surviving her, along with her dear grandson, Brian, whom she adopted. Helen was the proud grandmother of 11 grandchildren: Jacqueline, Robert, Kevin, Michael, Kent (predeceased), Dawn (predeceased), Dustin, Dylan, Brian, Angela, and Byron, Jr. She also had numerous great grandchildren surviving her. Helen is also survived by her dear friend, Richard Berendsen. Helen was predeceased by her parents, Quintin and Vera Nienkerk, her two brothers, Merle Nienkerk and Frank Nienkerk, and her sister, Vera Jean Messer.
Helen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings in the Church, including Relief Society Presidency, Adult Sunday School Teacher, and Seminary Teacher. Helen also served as a service missionary for her Church at the Bishop's Storehouse in Plant City, Florida, and she served for many years as a temple worker in the LDS Orlando Florida Temple. She loved being a homemaker; she enjoyed sewing, upholstering furniture, crocheting and knitting.
Memorial Services for Helen will be held on Thurday, April 2, 2026, at 7:00 P.M., at the Gibsonia Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1839 Gib-Galloway Road, Lakeland, FL 33810.
Everyone is invited to remain after the services for a visitation with Helen's family and friends. Interment will take place at a later date in the Hartman Family Plot at Oakhill Cemetery, Lakeland, Florida.
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