Connie Hegedus

Connie Hegedus was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend to many. A natural nurturer, she savored the time she spent with her growing family over the years. Connie lived her life to the fullest by working hard to provide for the family she loved and making meaningful connections with her community. Her legacy of being generous, selfless, and humble, touched the lives of many over the years. There is no doubt that she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

The 1940s were characterized by WWII. By 1948, the first affordable prefab homes were being built in the U.S. to solve the growing need of the baby boomers. That same year, Connie was born on January 2nd to George and Henrietta (Burgess) Baker in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her childhood was filled with many happy and memorable moments.

While growing up in Kalamazoo, Connie enjoyed living on her family’s farm. By the age of eight years old, she was able to have her own horse. Most children only dreamt of having a horse, so Connie never took it for granted. She was accustomed to the demands of managing a farm from an early age. She was known to ride along with her dad to bail hay and once her legs were long enough, she learned how to drive the tractor! She took care of their cows, and enjoyed endless barn parties in her growing years. The barn became a gathering place to dance and enjoy time with friends during her young adult years. These years working on the farm shaped much of her adult life.

Not to be forgotten was the meeting of Ron Hegedus in 1963. The two of them caught one another’s attention at a mutual friend’s birthday party. He was standing in the corner trying his best to not be noticed and Connie invited him to join in with the group that was singing songs and letting loose. A spark began from that evening forward. Soon after, Ron was drafted into the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War in 1966. These were hard times. To bring her comfort, Connie would visit Ron’s parent’s home and slept in his bed so she could still smell his scent. After he graduated from recruit training, he was able to come home on leave. Although they had planned on getting married in June, they had to wait until Ron was granted a short leave in September. Luckily, when the war ended, Ron returned safely so they could build their future together.

Ron and Connie had a beautiful marriage that emulated warmth, mutual trust, and the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis – Always Faithful. There weren’t many days that a guest or loved one didn’t witness a kiss, a hug, or an occasional smack on the bottom! She was one to go with the flow, while Ron preferred things planned out and precise. Their separate personalities were a perfect match! Together they raised two wonderful children; Dawn and Stacy. Their home was a safe space for their daughter’s friends to feel loved and accepted. Most days, they gathered around the kitchen counter making homemade pizzas, cookies, or snacks to share around the pool. Although, sports were not her thing, you would never know it by the sounds of her cheers from the sidelines at every one of their children’s sporting events. Connie was their number one fan and made sure everyone knew it! Connie and Ron both wanted nothing more than to provide stability and joy in the lives of their kids and their special friends.

By 1980, Connie had returned to the workforce, and her love of gardening soon led to a wonderful opportunity. Her brother-in-law, Bill Saunders, knowing how much she enjoyed flowers, invited her to work at his new greenhouse, where she could spend her days doing something she loved. Best of all, she had the joy of working alongside her beloved sister, Vicki Saunders. Connie was there from the very beginning until she retired in 2017. Her love of people as well as flowers, made her the best candidate for the job! Connie was so well loved by her fellow coworkers, they called her Aunt Connie. For many of those years, all she needed was her bag of Lay’s potato chips for her lunch break, and she was ready to get back to work! In addition to the greenhouse, Connie was a favorite server at Ted and Marie’s. She enjoyed talking with customers and making sure they were well cared for by giving them exceptional service. Connie knew most everyone’s orders by heart and poured coffee and placed it on the table before customers sat down! Her smile and optimistic attitude warmed anyone’s heart. When she wasn’t serving, she would make donuts at VerHage Farms, and enjoyed the special perk of bringing fresh donuts home for her family. Her purpose in life was found in her acts of service.

When it came to her years as a grandmother, Connie rose to the high standard of making sure they were spoiled. From fresh hot chocolate to her listening ear, there simply wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for them. Her grandchildren loved to ask her for advice as she had a special way of listening to their concerns and dilemmas. Ron and Connie would discuss together the issues at hand, and arrive at what they always felt was the best advice they could give at the time. She spoke with intention, not mincing her words, but rather being clear and compassionate. She would help them weigh out the pros and cons and in the end be there for any result whether it was success or failure. She and Ron treated each of their grandkids as special people to know and to love.

Connie’s love of people was interwoven with many special pastimes. She enjoyed sun bathing and working in her flower beds. A day floating in the pool was a perfect day. When the winter months came around, she loved her Hallmark movies, adult coloring books, and puzzles with the grandkids. Most times, she would have a Hallmark movie on in the background, while also working on a coloring book. Some days she completed more than one! Her all-time favorite show was Star Trek. She was a big fan of William Shatner in his role of Captain Kirk as she thought he was sexy! Connie's retirement years were well earned and filled with all the things her heart desired.

When it came to her social life, Connie continued her love of hosting parties at their house. She was always looking her best with painted nails and dangling earrings! If invited to join a gathering at someone else’s house, she would make her famous batch of chocolate chip cookies. Even though she wasn’t feeling well or strong, with the help of her sister’s, she even made five batches to celebrate her and Ron’s 60th wedding anniversary just a week ago! In addition to her hospitality, Connie always remembered to acknowledge a loved one's birthday or special event with a handwritten card or note. She loved to show her appreciation as well as celebrate each milestone. Anyone that knew Connie was touched by her beautiful spirit and loving ways. She always kept others’ needs above her own, even in her days battling cancer. Her family meant the world to her. May they live their lives as a reflection of her steadfast compassion for others and may her memories live on in their hearts forever.

Connie Hegedus, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, age 78, died on August 30, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents, and son-in-law, Mike Smith. Surviving are her husband, Ron Hegedus; children: Dawn Smith and Stacy (Scott) Wolfe; grandchildren: Amanda Smith, Adam Smith, Benn (Mindy) Wolfe, Josh (Jamie) Wolfe, and Sierra Wolfe; great-grandkids: Annabelle and Joshua; siblings: Vicki (Bill) Saunders and Kathy (Karl) Kearcher; and nieces and nephews.

Please join us for a Life Story Service on Friday, September 4, at 11 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Visitation will begin one-hour prior. Celebrate Connie’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice.