Ardith H. Kling

November 16, 1929 - June 9, 2016

Ardith Highleyman Kling, 86, of Bellingham, Wash., departed this life peacefully on June 9, 2016. She was born Ardith Rae Wiseman on the family farm in Perkins County, Neb., on Nov. 16, 1929, to Harvey H. and Leola Maley Wiseman, the fourth of five children. Ardith attended school in Grant, graduated from Ogallala (Neb.) High School, and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, the University of Arizona (B.A.) and the University of North Florida (M.A.). In 1952 she married Searle F. Highleyman and for the next 26 years lived in numerous locations as a U.S. naval officer’s spouse, sparking a love of international travel. In 1982 she married Fred A. Kling of Jacksonville, Fla., and moved to Bellingham in 1998 after she retired as employee relations manager at GATX Logistics. Ardith contributed to the community wherever she lived, often in leadership roles. In Bellingham, Ardith was active in the Academy for Lifelong Learning, the Senior Advisory Board at the Center for Senior Health, United Blind of Whatcom County, and Birchwood Presbyterian Church. In Jacksonville, she was executive director of, respectively, Community Care for the Elderly (Visiting Nurse Association), Jacksonville Ecumenical Right to Eat Board, Volunteer Jacksonville, and the Northeast Area Agency on Aging. Ardith was appointed a delegate to the inaugural White House Conference on Aging, as well as to a U.S. Department of Labor conference in China. In addition, Ardith served her church through leadership roles and was selected for service trips to Jamaica and the former Soviet Union. She also held governing positions with Stewards of the St. Johns River and the International Resource Center of Jacksonville (GlobalJax). Ardith shall be missed by her loving family: children Susan (Larry) Aaron of Jacksonville, Fla., and Scott (Emily) Highleyman of Bellingham, Wash.; grandchildren Louise Highleyman, Seattle; Jake Highleyman and Nell Highleyman, Bellingham; Russell (Lynnette) Aaron and great-grandson, King Richardson, of Reno, Nev.; Rachel Aaron, Jacksonville; step-children and their families Kathy Press, Barbara (Jay) Miller, Donna (Frank) Harla of Jacksonville, and Janet (Monty) Cash of Piedmont, S.C. Also mourning her loss are sisters Janelle (Kennedy) Brown and Maurine Kish, both of Clifton, Tenn., numerous nieces and nephews, and all the friends whose lives she positively impacted. Ardith was predeceased by her husband, Fred Kling, and children Julia Marie Highleyman and Mark William Highleyman. A memorial service is planned for June 21, 3:30 p.m. at Birchwood Presbyterian Church. Private interment will be at Ogallala Cemetery. Westford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Washington Talking Book & Braille Library, https://www.sos.wa.gov/library/wtbbl-donate.aspx or 2021 9th Ave., Seattle, Wash. 98121.