By Staci DaSilva
sdasilva@kcautv.com
Bloomfield, Nebraska was home to the state's second oldest person, until Eleanor Nielsen passed away on Saturday, her 110th birthday.
Her family gathered Wednesday to remember the woman who they say, helped everybody.
She was the elder who everyone turned to for help.
"When you needed something, you'd talk to her about it. She'd give you ways of how you could accomplish your goals, remembered Eleanor's nephew Bernard Wrede.
Eleanor's niece Maria Dierks said, "She was always positive. When she had to go into this nursing home, she tried to have a good attitude."
110-year old Eleanor Nielsen may have been the second oldest person in Nebraska, but she was first in the hearts of her family.
"Eleanor had an appreciation for life," said Eleanor's niece Douglas Wrede.
For life, and for education.
"She helped all of our family with college, she helped our great-nieces and nephews with college," said Douglas Wrede.
And her secret to living a long, happy life? Well, it's really no secret at all. Eleanor's niece Clara Lynn said, "She didn't really believe in overeating, she believed in exercising."
And get this, Eleanor lived on her own until she was 108 years old. Really, an inspirational, strong woman.
