Charles Hiestand

Charles Hiestand, age 95 of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Monday, November 12, 2012, at the Anderson County Long Term Care Facility in Garnett, Kansas. He was born on March 31, 1917, at Walker, Vernon County, Missouri, the son of Gideon Elmer and Lillie Myrtle (Ball) Hiestand. He grew up west of Montevallo, Missouri where he attended Science Hill School and was a member of the Olive Branch Baptist Church. At the age of 17, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, and worked on the construction of Lake Sharpe in Chamberlain, South Dakota. After the CCC, he returned to Missouri. Charles then moved to join his family on a farm east of Bush City, Kansas. Charles was united in marriage to Georgia Adams on December 21, 1942 at the Christian Church Parsonage in Garnett, Kansas. This union was blessed with four children. They made their first home on a farm 11.5 miles southwest of Garnett. In November of 1945 they purchased a farm seven miles southwest of Welda, Kansas where they lived until moving to Garnett in February of 1991. They moved to the Anderson County Long Term Care in 2010. Charles farmed, raised stock cattle and dairy cows. He also worked at the Anderson County Sale Barn for 35 years. He also trapped, and purchased live rabbits for many years. He was an avid hunter and trapper. After moving to town Charles enjoyed his garden. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Georgia Hiestand on February 10, 2011; one great grandson; two brothers, Cleo "Mick" Hiestand and Dan Hiestand; six sisters, Mildred Fanning, Addie Daniel, Crystal Hess, Alta Alexander, infant sisters Barbara and Mabel Alice; one half-brother Grover "Jack" Long and one half-sister Sylvia Van Swirlington. He is survived by two sons, C.J. Hiestand of Topeka, Kansas; Marv Hiestand and wife Trisha of Topeka, Kansas; two daughters, Patty Spencer and husband Ray of Westphalia, Kansas; Mary Gillaspie and husband Dennis of Tecumseh, Kansas; 11 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.