Lida Carolyn Westenfelder

Lida Carolyn Westenfelder, age 95, passed peacefully on June 10, 2025, at the Newaygo County Compassion Home in Fremont. Lida was born in Fremont on December 5, 1929 to Anna Lillian (Kropscott) and Edward Berthold Westenfelder. Lida grew up on and lived most of her life on the family farm that she loved.
She graduated from Fremont High School and went on to graduate from Albion College. She was a teacher for 28 years, first in Hesperia for a few years and then in Fremont, where she taught math. After retiring from teaching, Lida returned to dairy farming with Guernsey cows as her parents had done during her youth.
Lida's true love was horses. She raised many Quarter Horses and enjoyed competing in horse shows around West Michigan. She also enjoyed riding on her farm and going on trail rides with family and friends. Lida was the 4-H leader of a saddle club and continued her involvement with 4-H by award from the American Quarter Horse Association for riding 5000 hours. Lida didn't stop riding until she reached the age of 88.
Lida was also an artist who carved and painted many beautiful items which she gifted to her family and friends. Lida enjoyed spending time with her family. Growing up, her sister Anna's children spent many hours with their aunt on the farm. Lida just enjoyed people, which is one of the reasons she made so many friends through the years. Friends made it possible for Lida to stay on her beloved farm until the last five days of her life.
Lida was preceded in death by her parents, by her sister Anna Land of Fremont and Spring Lake and by her sister Mabel Franz of Grand Junction, Colorado. She is survived by her brother-in-law Bud Franz of Grand Junction, Colorado. She also survived by three nieces and four nephews: Marilyn (Len) Painter of Spring Lake, Karen Land (Charles Edmonson) of Ann Arbor, David (Linda) Land of Flagstaff Arizona, Brian (Pam) Land of Spring Lake, Sue McKenzie of Carlsbad, California, Jeff Franz of Grand Junction and Brad (Laura) Franz of Aurora, Colorado. She is also survived by seven great nieces, five great nephews.
A memorial service is being planned for a later date.
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