Leona R. Lydens' Obituary
Leona Ruth Lydens passed away on October 24, 2020 at the age of 96. Leona lived in Whitehall, MI at the time of her passing. She is survived by her son Raymond (Janet) Lydens, Daughter-in-law June Lydens, Grandchildren Troy (Ali) Lydens, Scott Lydens, Kelly (Matthew) Tennison, Kristi (David) Klinger, Great-grandchildren Brooke, Ethan, and Noah Tennison. Leona was preceded in death by her husband Elwyn Lydens (1965), and son Gordon Lydens (2020).
Born just outside of Owosso, MI on April 1, 1924 to her parents Elwyn and Mary Hux, she was the last of eight children, including Mable Knickerbocker, Merwin, Harold, and Arlo Hux, Hilda Coleson, Velma Howell, and an unnamed sibling. She lived with her family there for 10 years before moving with them to Shelby, MI. Starting school early, Leona graduated high school at the age of 16, then began training to be a teacher. During World War II, she held a volunteer post to watch for and report enemy aircraft. Leona Taught primary school for five years. She married Elwyn and added sons Gordon and Raymond to their family. Both coming from farming families, they farmed in Shelby for the first ten years of their marriage before moving to Whitehall. Though her husband passed at a young age, she remained committed to him for life. She still told stories about him to her family and friends.
Leona was a lifelong reader with an active mind and a voracious appetite for reading. Though she never taught formally after her marriage, she loved to educate children, including her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and at the Sunday School at White Lake Wesleyan Church, where she attended for many years. Leona was a devout Christian who would cheerfully talk about her faith with anyone. A highlight of her life was visiting the Holy Land in 1970, being baptized in the Jordan River and visiting the Garden Tomb. She would speak of the struggle of looking forward to Heaven, saying "When you are my age, you are somewhat torn between leaving your loved ones here behind, and being again with loved ones who have gone ahead." It is doubtless she is with them today.
To commemorate Leona's life, we will be gathering at White Lake Wesleyan Church, 503 S Division St, Whitehall, MI on Friday, October 30th from 10-11am for a visitation, with an 11am funeral service immediately after. Guests are invited to a luncheon after the service. An interment will be held at Oakhurst Cemetery in Whitehall, MI at 2pm that day.
Shoreline Memorial Services of Whitehall Ph 231-893-5300
What’s your fondest memory of Leona?
What’s a lesson you learned from Leona?
Share a story where Leona's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Leona you’ll never forget.
How did Leona make you smile?