Norma Alta (Biggs) Sothard, age 90, died peacefully at Carveth Village in Middleville early Sunday morning, February 28, 2010. She had resided there for more than three years.
Norma was born on September 27, 1919 in Hastings. She was the eldest of three daughters born to Clarence A. and Minnie Belle (Roush) Biggs. Because her father worked for the railroad the family moved frequently during her early years. She attended schools in Hastings, Eaton Rapids, Charlotte and Nashville, graduating from Nashville High School in 1937. That fall, Norma entered the University of Michigan School of Nursing. She loved her classes but found dorm life too difficult, thus dropping out and returning to Nashville before the first semester was completed. Shortly thereafter she enrolled at the Lamar Beauty Academy in Battle Creek and completed a one year program in cosmetology.
On Easter Sunday, March 24, 1940, Norma was united in marriage to Donald Sothard. The ceremony took place at the home of her parents in Nashville. They celebrated 67 years of marriage prior to his death in 2007. Norma was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
Norma held various positions during her working career including beauty operator, organist for Leonard Funeral Home, IBM operator at Hastings Manufacturing Co., cashier at the former A&P store as well as Felpausch Food Center, secretary for the Barry County Selective Service Office, and payroll clerk at Thornapple Manor. She always had an interest in the medical field and at the age of 62, in 1982, she fulfilled her desire of becoming a nurse when she graduated from KCC's Licensed Practical Nursing program with a 4.0 GPA. She then went on to work at Thornapple Manor and Provincial House in Hastings before eventually retiring to care for her grandchildren.
Norma was an accomplished seamstress; there wasn't anything she couldn't sew. She was also a beautiful pianist (mainly self taught), and she found great joy in singing. Music was essential to her happiness from an early age. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hastings, singing in the Choir for many years. She was a founding member of the Lakewood Area Choral Society, making many long lasting friendships within that group. Norma deeply instilled the love of music in each of her 4 children.
Norma and Don upon retirement, spent many happy winters in Pharr, Texas. They loved to square dance; having belonged to the Ringo Swingo Square Dance Club in Hastings and made many new friends while square dancing in Texas. Ill health eventually forced them to stop traveling and stay year round I Hastings.rn

Norma is survived by her children, David Sothard of Buckeye, AZ, Donna (Eldon) Mathews of Hastings, Tom (Cheryl) Sothard of East Jordan, MI, Martha (Frank) Misak of Hastings; 9 grandchildren and 8+great grandchildren; sister, Frances Jones of Bloomfield Hills, MI; 4 nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; sister, Genevieve Struble; brothers-in-law, Emerson Struble, Stanley Jones and Gordon Sothard; as well as an infant brother in 1918.
Norma loved her family fiercely, she loved the Lord, and she loved life, always ready with a smile and an encouraging word.
She received exceptional care from all of the staff at Carveth Village and from Hospice at the very end.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to Carveth Village in Middleville with designation to the activities department. Cremation has taken place. Her family will hold a celebration of her life at a later date. Arrangements have been provided by Lauer Family Funeral Homes-Wren Chapel, 1401 N. Broadway in Hastings.