In the early morning hours of Feb. 19, 2018 our mother Lydia Mary (Nekuda) Claesson passed away peacefully at home, in her sleep, after a long illness.

She was preceded in death by her loving, and dearly loved husband of many years, Claus Gustaf Uggla Claesson in 1994.

Lydia was born in a small farmhouse in Sargent, Nebraska on April 24, 1928. Lydia had a childhood filled with love and many, many happy memories.

Among her early accomplishments was playing first violin in the Lincoln City Orchestra as well as having her own radio shows. While in high school, Lydia sang for the boy-soldiers heading off to World War II.

Although Lydia was among the first women in the nation to regularly appear on television, she always said that her greatest accomplishment was her children.

Lydia met Claus in college shortly after he immigrated from Sweden. Besides their obvious friendship and love for one another and their children, our parents had great fun together and their adventures spanned the globe. Time does not fully heal the absence of one so dearly loved, yet there is also peace and profound gratitude that this story ever got to happen at all. If you knew and loved Lydia, rather than send remembrances, do something thoughtful for someone with a smile for Lydia and think of life as a grand adventure.

Lydia is survived by her daughters Lesley Barron and Lisa Gordon; son Christopher Claesson; granddaughters Beckey West, Elisabet Gordon, Lucinda Gordon and Anna Christina Claesson; grandsons David West, Andrew West and Aiden McCready; and great-grandson Parker West.

With love,

Christopher Claesson, Lisa Gordon and Lesley Barron.