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Nona Yvonne Baker

Nona Yvonne Baker

Female 1918 - 2010  (92 years)

Personal Information    |    Media    |    Notes    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Photos
    Nona Hiestand
    Nona Hiestand

    Headstones
    Floyd & Nona Hiestand
    Floyd & Nona Hiestand
    HIESTAND

    Floyd E.
    May 17, 1912
    Oct. 20, 1990

    Nona Y.
    Aug. 12, 1918
    Nov. 15, 2010

    Census
    1920 US Census
    1920 US Census
    Cherry Grove Township, Wexford County, Michigan
    1930 US Census
    1930 US Census
    Oshtemo Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan
    1940 US Census
    1940 US Census
    Kalamazoo Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan

  • Name Nona Yvonne Baker 
    Born 12 Aug 1918  Burdell Township, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 15 Nov 2010  Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Maple Grove Cemetery, Mattawan, Van Buren County, Michigan, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I21635  Family Tree
    Last Modified 24 Dec 2016 

    Father Philo Ernest Baker,   b. 20 Oct 1869, Almena Township, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Jun 1933, Oshtemo Township, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 63 years) 
    Mother Lavenia Louise Lee,   b. 18 Aug 1880, Oshtemo Township, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Aug 1956, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years) 
    Married 7 Apr 1900  Oshtemo Township, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F10721  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Floyd Elroy Hiestand,   b. 17 May 1912, Redfield, Kansas, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Oct 1990, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Married 21 Jun 1937  South Bend, Indiana, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Floyd Hiestand
     2. Joan Hiestand
    +3. Marylou Hiestand,   b. 10 Feb 1945, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Jul 2009, Hickory Corners, Michigan, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 64 years)
    Last Modified 24 Dec 2016 
    Family ID F10753  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 12 Aug 1918 - Burdell Township, Michigan, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 21 Jun 1937 - South Bend, Indiana, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 15 Nov 2010 - Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Maple Grove Cemetery, Mattawan, Van Buren County, Michigan, United States Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Notes 
    • Nona Hiestand was a woman of strong values, learned from loving parents and shared with friends and family. She was a dedicated wife and mother, who believed in hard work and enjoying the benefits such work provided; the word ?can?t? was not in Nona?s vocabulary. Whether she was traveling with her sister-in-law, camping with her children or simply enjoying time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, her life was full of blessings.
      In the year 1918, America was in the midst of an important change as the war in Europe pushed toward an end. With thousands of young soldiers returning home, the economy boomed to meet peacetime demands. It was the beginning of an era of prosperity and happiness, though Philo and Lavina (Lee) Baker of Oshtemo, Michigan, were in positive spirits for another reason. On August 12, 1918, they were blessed with the birth of twins ? a son they named Noel, and a daughter named Nona.
      Nona and Noel had a very large, close-knit family; they were towards the end of the sibling lineup of 14 children. They grew up on their family farm on L Avenue in Oshtemo. Undoubtedly, the Baker house was always busy with activity, and Nona was usually the one to keep a close eye on because of her fearless escapades. Like many young girls of the time, Nona attended the Mattawan schools through the 9th grade, and left to help her family on the farm.
      Life was hard for Nona at home, so she eventually moved out on her own. It wasn?t long before her life took a new direction when she met Floyd Hiestand at a dance. The two began dating, fell in love and were happily married on June 21, 1937. The newlyweds settled into married life together on her parents? farm, while their home was being built on a parcel of that farm. It was in this home that Nona and Floyd would raise their three wonderful children: Floyd ?Bob?, Joan and Marylou, and share many wonderful memories as a family. In order to support their growing family, Floyd worked at Stryker, making surgical tools, while Nona worked at Kalasign Co. of America, making decals. She worked here for 10 years before the factory closed.
      Family was always first in Nona?s heart and there wasn?t anything she wouldn?t do for them. When her kids were growing up, she loved to take them grape picking, or catch the bus into town to see a movie. Nona enjoyed bowling a lot and even won some trophies in competition. The family was always active outdoors, whether they were fishing, hunting and snowmobiling at their cabin in Baldwin, or taking camping trips to parts unknown ? undoubtedly there were lots of great times and funny stories to tell of their adventures. Nona loved her family dearly, and she and Floyd enjoyed 53 wonderful years of marriage until he passed away in 1990.
      Nona had many hobbies and interests to keep her busy in her leisure time. She crocheted many beautiful afghans over the years, though sadly had to stop when she started losing her sight. Nona also liked to read, go out to eat and travel; she took some AARP trips with her sister-in-law, Edith. Above all else, Nona was happiest when surrounded by the love and smiles of her children and grandchildren. For years, she had big family gatherings at her house with over 40 people ? the more the merrier! Nona was so very proud of her family, and made sure everyone knew it too. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, taking them on shopping trips and then stopping at a restaurant. Over 4 years ago, Nona suffered a stroke and went to live at Park Village Pines, an assisted living facility in Kalamazoo. It didn?t take long for Nona to fit into her new surroundings and win the hearts of everyone there, despite her stoic English nature.
      Nona lived by the motto ? ?there is no such thing as can?t.? She always willingly and lovingly gave of her time, her effort and her love to everyone in her life. She will be dearly missed.
      Nona Hiestand, age 92, died on Monday, November 15, 2010. Learn more about Nona, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends on Wednesday, November 17, from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900). Burial at Maple Grove Cemetery, Mattawan.
      Nona was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Floyd E. Hiestand; a daughter, Marylou Zettelmaier, and 13 siblings. Nona and Floyd had 3 children: Floyd ?Bob? (Kathy), Joan (Dave) Miller, and Marylou (deceased) (Glenn) Zettelmaier. She also leaves many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and many friends at Park Village Pines. Please visit Nona?s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with her family and sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be directed to Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or Park Village Pines Memorial Fund.