Lydia Ilene Heiden was born August 9, 1927 in Evart, Michigan to Leroy and Mary Edna MacMillan. She grew up on a farm during the great depression where she helped her eldest brother; Clyde, with farming chores until she graduated from Evart High School in 1946. Her other brothers; Montie and Urshel served in the Armed Forces during war and peace times.

Lydia moved to Lansing, Michigan after high school, obtaining a job as a book binder at Speaker Hines. She then met Herman Heiden at a dance, and was united in Holy Matrimony on May 1, 1948, spending sixty three years together separated only by his death on May 15, 2011. Together, they represented a true living portrayal of their wedding vows in action- staying together "For Better, For Worse, For Richer, For Poorer, In Sickness and In Health, To Love and To Cherish, Till Death Do They Part."

Their union produced three children: Gerald Lee deceased in 2016, Rosemary A Pasch (Irvin) from DeWitt, MI and Yvonne M Heiden from Morse Bluffs, NE.

Lydia worked as a switchboard operator for the Lansing Police Department, retiring form the city of Lansing while her husband worked as a pipefitter. Together they enjoyed bowling on leagues, gardening, canning, traveling and socializing with friends and family.

Her Free Methodist Faith that began with Evart Free Methodist Church and ended up with Central Free Methodist Church kept her grounded, and only enhanced her natural characteristics- merciful, forgiving, generous and loyal. Lydia's relationship with the Lord Jesus gave her strength and courage to face any adversity without hesitation.

Her family grew to include four grandchildren; Michelle Quesenberry of Lansing, MI, Melanie Petoskey of Lansing, MI deceased in 2019, Jessica Draine of Lincoln, NE, and Amanda (Anthony) Schumacher of Omaha, NE, as well as five great-grandchildren.

Lydia could always be counted on to listen, chat, or visit with anyone, anytime. She enjoyed making quilts for her family, playing cards with her friends, and reading in between to satisfy her strong desire to learn as much as she could about subjects that interested her. She remained true to her beliefs. Her loyalty will never be duplicated and her presence will be missed forever.

Her family wishes to thank the staff at Country Woods Assisted Living Home in Potterville, MI for their kindness and loving care during her last days.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 14, 2020 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and again from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Washington, DeWitt, MI. Funeral will be held Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Central Free Methodist Church, 828 N. Washington Ave, Lansing, MI. with interment to follow at Eastlawn Memory Gardens, Lansing, MI.