Lida Carolyn Westenfelder, age 95, passed away peacefully on June 10,2025 atCompassion Home in Fremont. Lida was born on December 5,1929 to Anna Lillian(Kropscott) and Edward Berthold Westenfelder. Lida grew up on and lived most of her life on the 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 around her farm and going on trail rides with family and friends. Lida was the leader of a 4-H saddle club for many years. In later years an award was created in her name and presented annually during the fair to an outstanding boy or girl who was the primary owner and care giver of a 4-H horse. Lida won an award for riding 5000 hours from the American Quarter Horse Association. Lida didn't stop riding until she reached the age of 88.

Lida was also an artist who carved and painted 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. It was some of these friends which 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, her sister Anna Land of Fremont and Spring Lake and by her sister Mabel of Grand Junction, Colorado. She is survived by herbrother-in-law Bud Franz of Grand Junction, Colorado. She is 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 Franz of Aurora, Colorado. She is also survived by seven great nieces and five great nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Crandell Funeral Home on August 15 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation an hour before the service. Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the Fremont Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Newaygo County Agricultural Fair Association Fund or the 4-H Special Riding Program Fund, both through the Fremont Area Community Foundation, 4424 W. 48 Street, Fremont. Donations by check should include the name of the fund and "in memory of Lida Westenfelder". Donations can also be made via the foundation's website at facommunityfoundation.org. Or consider a donation to: Newaygo County Compassion Home, 20 S. Stewart, Fremont. Their website is newaygocountycompassionhome.org

Newaygo County Compassion Home
20 S. Stewart Avenue, Fremont MI 49412