Kathryn Timinskis

Kathryn Timinskis had a deep love for God and her husband Peter. They spent fifty-four years of marriage working together to create a caring home for their six children.

Kathryn was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on November 19, 1933. She was the first of five children in the Benjamin family, raised in Saranac, Michigan. Her father was a builder and inventor--he invented the first radio in Saranac--and her mother, along with being a homemaker, ran a beauty salon. It wasn't all work for the Benjamin family though, they loved to take time to travel. They were a close-knit family and shared many picnics and vacations together. Especially during meal times, the family enjoyed listening to Mom's impersonations and story telling while Dad told the latest joke. Kathryn learned the fundamentals of the Christian faith from her mother and father and by attending Alton Bible Church.

During Kathryn's high school years she enjoyed studying music and graduated with honors in 1952. She used her singing talent in musical events such as Fourth of July celebrations. "Somewhere over the Rainbow" was one of her favorite songs that she sang. Also, while she was in high school she took her first trip to Washington, D.C...one of many trips to come. Upon graduation she started working as a secretary in a downtown Grand Rapids insurance agency.

"That is the girl I am going to marry," is what Peter said when he saw a picture of Kathryn at her cousin Jerry Wittenbach's house. Soon afterwards, Jerry introduced them to each other. That same day Peter asked Kathryn to spend the afternoon with him in Grand Haven. From that day forward, Peter began his courtship to win her heart. Often he would wait for her to finish work downtown and surprise her with a bouquet of flowers. The young couple fell in love as they spent time with friends and family, going to movies, and the lake.

Peter was born on the Fourth of July in 1923 in Phil adelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Lithuanian immigrants. Later his family moved to Scottville, Michigan and then to Lowell where his father bought a large farm. Peter was a veteran who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and defended our nation in the South Pacific, the Phil ippines and Japan. Once he was discharged, he returned home to Lowell to work on his family's farm.

On August 23, 1952, Kathryn and Peter were married at the United Methodist Church in Lowell. They spent part of their honeymoon at Niagara Falls, New York City, and Cape May. Following their honeymoon, the couple began working on the family farm. While living there they had their first five children: Bill, Carole, Vicki, Trish and Deb. Peter and Kathryn were very hard workers and instilled strong work ethics within their children. Together as a family they owned and operated a saw mill building pallets, grade stacks, and large equipment mats. Also, Peter built roads around Michigan and throughout the U.S. In 1965, they moved into their new home. Peter, their sixth child was born shortly thereafter.

While raising the children and running the household, Kathryn carried out many entrepreneurial endeavors including selling sweet corn at the Fulton Street Market; designed and sold dried floral home decorations for local stores and art shows; and for the last several years enjoyed making copper and glass bird feeders. Kathryn always said to her children, "You can do anything you want to do!" And she would do anything to help them develop their interests and talents in order to reach their goals.

You would never go home hungry when visiting the Timinskises. There was always plenty of good tasting food (including Lithuanian) and delicious homemade pies! As a couple, they were always willing to help and encourage others in need, making their home a welcome place.

They never really retired. After finishing his years working on the road, Peter enjoyed 16 years working for a dear friend Bruce Roark in his landscaping business. And Kathryn, along with her family, continued making artwork and selling their product at art shows. In addition, she also worked several years at Radio Bible Class in the Correspondence Department.

Peter and Kathryn both loved to keep up on current events by listening to the news and reading the entire newspaper every day, with their dog Rocky always by their sides. Kathryn was an avid reader, and in particular loved to read autobiographies.

Kathryn never missed an opportunity to see another part of the world! She loved to travel! In 1981, she and some of her children drove to Florida to spend a week at Disney World; two of her daughters and she traveled throughout Europe for several weeks; twice drove across country to the west coast; and most recently spent a week in Maui with family and friends.

The kids grew up and blessed them with seven grandchildren. Trish and Dan adopted two beautiful children from South Korea. Peter and Kathryn loved them all and taught them many songs and stories.

Peter went to be with the Lord on November 7, 2006, after a brief illness. Just one week before he died, Kathryn suffered a massive stroke. After some rehabilitation she went home to be cared for by her family. On Friday, January 5, 2007, she too, went home to be with the Lord. Peter and Kathryn Timinskis were loving, kind, generous souls. They will be dearly missed by their family and friends, and their memories will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them.

Mrs. Kathryn May Timinskis, aged 73 of Lowell was taken home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, January 5, 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband, of 54 years, Peter Paul Timinskis, who passed away just two months ago, and her sister-in-law Nancy Benjamin. Surviving are her children: Bill and Sylva Timinskis of Alaska, Carole Timinskis of Lowell, Vicki and Phil Schreur of Lowell, Trish and Dan Shantz of Kalamazoo, Deb Timinskis of Grand Rapids, Pete and Kumari Timinskis of California; seven grandchildren: Elizabeth, Eric, Daniel, Katrina, Alana, Katie and Jake; her sisters and brothers-in-law: June and Jack Mathews, Nora and Tom Boguslaski; her brothers and sisters-in-law: Chuck and Mary Benjamin, David and Nancy Benjamin, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien - Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. with interment to follow at Alton Bible Church Cemetery. Mrs. Timinskis reposes at the funeral home where relatives and friends may meet her family Tuesday from 7-9 P.M. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Evergreen Missionary Church would be appreciated. To share a memory or picture or sign the online register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com.