Obituary—October 28, 2010

Noonan 

Aleta Clara Noonan, 98, formerly Aleta Stegenga, of Rockford and Traverse City, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2010. Aleta was born March 2, 1912, in Kent County, Mich. She was seven weeks old when her father, Albert Hoffmeyer, died, leaving her mother, Rose, to raise three children. Eight years later, Rose married Edward White, who was a great father to Aleta.

Aleta Clara Noonan

In 1932, Aleta married Victor John Stegenga and they moved from Sparta to Rockford, where they raised their three children: Fred, Jack and Sharon.

Aleta was always a proud homemaker and loved her family dearly. She was a member of the First Congregational Church for over 60 years. She was active in many women’s groups, including the Friendship Guild, Women’s Fellowship, Rockford Garden Club, Eastern Star, and the Stitch and Chatter Club, a group of her very dear and close friends.

For several years, she and Vic were foster parents, giving little children a temporary home. Early retirement years were spent wintering in Florida, and sharing good times with her sister Hilda and husband, and her stepbrother Richard White and wife. In later years, she volunteered at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

Four years after Vic’s passing in 1975, Aleta married Guy T. Noonan of Glen Falls, N.Y. They were married for 17 years. They enjoyed their winters in Florida and summers in Rockford.

Aleta is survived by her son, Fred (Ingrid) Stegenga of Yelm, Wash., and her daughter, Sharon (Henry) Finch of Traverse City. Jack, whom she dearly missed, passed away in October 2008. Also surviving are her stepbrother Richard (Gladys) White of Saginaw; seven grandchildren, Jim and Kris/Lily, Ty and Kamie, Molly, Allison and Spencer; and nine great-grandchildren, Shamane, Kelsey, Dalton, Edward, Owen, AJ, Charlie, Evan and Spencer.

A private memorial service for family and close friends will be held at a later date in Rockford. Memorials may be directed to the First Congregational Church, 6105 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686, or to Munson Home Hospice & Palliative Care, 550 Munson Ave., Traverse City, MI 49684.