Mildred Timmer

Mom passed away peacefully January 4th, 2012. She died with her family at her side at Rose Hospital. She was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and followed her daughters to Denver almost 20 years ago. There she forged a deep love of reading and exploring the lives of pioneers, specifically the women, who preceded her. Before moving to Denver she lived in Big Rapids, Ludington, Mt Pleasant, Jenison and Wyoming, Michigan. As a newlywed she worked for the Vice President of Ferris State College. After devoting herself full-time to her twin daughters she continued her career at Grand Valley State University and eventually as a paralegal at Varnum Law. In Denver she worked briefly at Intelligent Electronics before retiring. She called Heather Gardens home in Denver. She was an active participant (behind the scenes) member of the Heather Gardens Frolics and Road Show. A highlight of her 79th Birthday Celebration was a special Heather Gardens Road Show performance with some of her favorite performers. Although she was not herself a stage ""talent"" her skills were invaluable. Her girls and grandchildren also benefited from her creativity. Barbie Dolls were always runway ready. Annually her twins had a new fall collection. She encouraged imagination with such costumes as Super Heroes and Astronauts or the entire Disney Princess Collection and of course sock monkeys. Mid was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Gertrude Louise (Westra) Fonger of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Like her mother, she was an avid journaler. She leaves behind reams with long forgotten details of people and events. She is survived by her brother Robert Charles Fonger currently of Fredricksburg, Virginia and her daughters Karen & George Griffin and Cheryl & Robert Balgley as well as her grandchildren, Lindsey Griffin, Troy Griffin, Davis Balgley and Nicole Balgley all of Denver, Colorado. She also remained on good terms with Harold Timmer currently of McKinney, Texas to whom she was married 26 years. She was very clear that we not memorialize her or define her by her disease but by the tenacity with which she fought it over the past 22 years. Her strength was an inspiration for all who knew her. Then Jesus said, ""Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 Please share your memories of Mid and condolences with her family by clicking on the ""Sign Guestbook"" link below.