MARIAN NORMA BASTIAN

Marian Norma Bastian January 2, 1920 - December 19, 2014 Marian Norma Bastian passed away peacefully on 12/19/2014 with family by her side. She was born in Leonard, ND on 01/02/1920 to Gilbert and Norma (Grasswick) Elliott. She was one of six siblings, all of whom preceded her in death. She married James Robert Bastian on 09/02/1938 and had ten children. Sons "Little Jimmie" and Dwight Bastian, and daughter Nancy Bastian preceded her in death. Marian is survived by Carol Montague of Yucaipa, CA; Judy Kendrick of Apple Valley, CA; Jane (Ray) Fleenor of Rio Rancho, NM; Bradley (Espie) Bastian of Blanchard, ID; Laurie (Dan) Ragsdale of Blanchard, ID; Donna (Tom) Rash of Sparks, NV; and Gail (Larry) Vanderpool of Apple Valley, CA. She had numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. After raising her children and later in life, mom took a job as an Athletic Attendant at Cal Poly, Pomona. She loved working with the professors, staff and especially the students. She particularly enjoyed setting up for special athletic events (mostly Women's Volleyball). After her retirement from the university, Marian lived the last seventeen years in Apple Valley, CA. She was a very strong-willed woman and was proud to live on her own and take care of herself through her later years in life. She was excellent at sewing (once designing and making clothes for the family of Lawrence Welk). She created her own patterns and sewed clothes for her daughters (all seven of them) for many years, including a few wedding dresses. She also loved to crochet and became skilled at quilting, crocheting afghans and making quilts for her children and many grandchildren. She won many blue ribbons at the Los Angeles and San Bernardino County Fairs. She was known by family and friends for her wonderful homemade bread and watermelon and chocolate pies. Our mom loved camping, fishing, traveling, gardening and hiking. She was good at remembering jokes and would entertain everyone with her wonderful sense of humor. She traveled to many states and countries with family and friends throughout the years. She was an avid hiker, having hiked the Grand Canyon while in her 70s with her longtime friends, Ann and Winnie. She was also a Yosemite High Sierra Loop Hiker back in July 1986. Although mom had ten children, she had a different, unique and special relationship with each one of us. She was truly a very giving and loving mom, grammy and grammy great, and will always be missed. We love you with all our hearts Mom. Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.