Marylou Hiestand

Notes:

Mary Lou Zettelmaier lived her life to serve others, seeing that her loved ones were taken care of well before she cared for her own needs. An amazing mother, wife, and grandmother, Mary Lou was a real "nest-builder" who put her family first.
The youngest of three children, Mary Lou was born on February 10, 1945 in the bustling city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her father and mother, Floyd and Nona Heistand, were overjoyed to welcome their third child into the family, and Mary Lou became the younger sister of Robert and Joan. Being the youngest, Mary Lou learned quickly how to help out around the house, and witnessed firsthand what family was all about. These early lessons would prove useful to Mary Lou later in life, when she would raise her own family.
As a child, Mary Lou was well mannered, earning herself the nickname "here am I!" when she would announce her presence at the door in order to ask for a cookie. Spending time at her Uncle Henry's dairy farm was one of her favorite things as a little girl, where she got to spend time with all the farm animals. She was a very social young lady with many friends, and would eventually graduate from Mattawan High School in 1963.
Continuing on to higher education, Mary Lou went to Nazareth Nursing School to receive her LPN. It was no surprise that Mary Lou would choose a career path that involved providing care for others. Kindness came naturally to Mary Lou, and it made her happy to be able to help people in need.
Mary Lou's parents were regulars at Harold and Ruth's Bar, (now called Skis Bar) which is just north of Paw Paw. It was there that Mary Lou would meet her future husband, Mr. Glenn Zettelmaier. The couple quickly fell in love despite the fact that Glenn was five years older than Mary Lou. They were married February 24 of 1968 at St. Mary's Church in Paw Paw, heading off to Daytona Beach, Florida for a romantic honeymoon. This marked the beginning of a beautiful life together, full of many special moments and memories.
Being as family focused as she was, it seemed natural that Mary Lou would quickly become a mother, as well. She and Glenn started their family in 1970 and had three wonderful children - John, Eric, and Elizabeth. Her kids were always priority, and Mary Lou made sure that they each knew they had support from their family in all their endeavors. Mary Lou was always present at sporting events and was a stay at home mom, determined to spend as much time with her family as possible. Holiday dinners were always special with the time and effort she put into them. Mary Lou ran a day care at her home for many years, taking care of other families as well as her own! After raising her children, she continued with her caring and giving spirit as a medical paraprofessional for special needs children at Gull Lake Schools.
The family vacationed in their RV, and had owned three fifth wheel trailers, and two motor homes throughout the years. The outdoors were like home to Mary Lou, and she loved to take her family to her parent's cabin in Baldwin for fishing and hiking. Her house was decorated with moose, bears, and deer, and her pontoon boat was one of her favorite places to relax and reflect on all the joys she had in her life. She also found enjoyment from her favorite show, Days of Our Lives. She especially enjoyed spending time at Crooked Lake, Delton, with her family, camping, fishing, boating, and going on twilight cruises. Mary Lou always had a special fondness for her dogs, who she cared for immensely. She and Glenn often went out for dinner dates, always caring for each other as they had when they were newlyweds.
Like her big sunflowers and flower gardens, everything around Mary Lou seemed to bloom. She was a strong woman with an even stronger love of life. Unfortunately, Mary Lou suffered for many years with arthritis in her back and a knee replacement, but true to Mary Lou's personality, she never complained of her pain and only concerned herself with the needs of others. In November of 2007, she was diagnosed with colon cancer, which turned out to be stage four. After doing all the treatments she could, she finally decided that enough was enough, and stopped treatment.
Surrounded by her loving family, Mary Lou Zettelmaier of Hickory Corners passed away July 16, 2009, at age 64, after a courageous battle with cancer. She will be very deeply missed.
Family will receive friends Sunday from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Homes, Betzler-Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Glenn, 3 children John (Tess) Zettelmaier, Eric (Tanya) Zettelmaier, and Elizabeth (Craig) Petto, all of Delton, 7 grandchildren: Samantha, Evelyn, Keegan, Kimberly, and Ashley Zettelmaier, and Jessica and Gabrielle Petto; her mother, Nona Y. Hiestand, brother, Robert (Kathy) Hiestand, and sister, Joan (David) Miller, all of Kalamazoo. Please visit Mary Lou?s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read her Life Story, archive a memory or photo or sign her memory book before coming to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Calhoun County Humane Society.

Marylou married Glenn Zettelmaier on 24 Feb 1968 in Paw Paw, Michigan, USA. Glenn was born in 1940. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. John Zettelmaier
2. Eric Zettelmaier
3. Elizabeth Zettelmaier

Floyd married Nona Yvonne Baker on 21 Jun 1937 in South Bend, Indiana, USA. Nona (daughter of Philo Ernest Baker and Lavenia Louise Lee) was born on 12 Aug 1918 in Burdell Township, Michigan, USA; died on 15 Nov 2010 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA; was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Mattawan, Van Buren County, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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.

Philo married Lavenia Louise Lee on 7 Apr 1900 in Oshtemo Township, Michigan, USA. Lavenia (daughter of Richard Thomas Lee and Lucy Ann Pennock) was born on 18 Aug 1880 in Oshtemo Township, Michigan, USA; died on 29 Aug 1956 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA; was buried in West Oshtemo Cemetery, Oshtemo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Lucy Ann Pennock on 19 Nov 1878 in Richland, Michigan, USA. Lucy (daughter of Peter William Pennock and Mary Jane Tobey) was born on 12 Nov 1857 in Hope Township, Michigan, USA; died on 26 Jun 1941 in Oshtemo Township, Michigan, USA; was buried in West Oshtemo Cemetery, Oshtemo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]