James Timmer

Mass of Christian Burial for James “Jim” Timmer will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church with Father Bryce Lungren officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at Gillette Memorial Chapel with Rosary to begin at 6:00 p.m. James Joseph Timmer “Jim” to all that new him, passed away on May 25, 2023.  Jim was born on the July 3, 1941 in Sioux Falls, SD to Ray and Hilda Timmer.  He was the 3^rd of six boys and one girl.  He was raised in Estelline, SD in a small farmhouse without running water or electricity.  He married the love of his life, Penelope “Penny” Jo Schave, on June 22, 1963 and had 6 beautiful children.  While working at Lakeside Dairy in Sioux Falls, he and his brother Ron started a concrete business they ran after hours from their full-time jobs.  On Aug 29, 1977, Jim and Penny moved to Gillette, WY with their 5 children, Lynette “Net”, Laurie, Lonnie “Bud”, Lance “Tigger” and Leah “Toodles”.   Jim then provided for his family for the next 26 years working for the AMAX coal mine.   During this period, he spent much of his time coaching a variety of basketball teams, playing a significant role in developing the Midget Basketball Program in Gillette.  After retiring from the coal mine, Jim and Penny started Wyoming Iron, a metal arts craft company, producing products sold to a variety of patrons throughout the region.  The efforts of “peddling” their hard-won products resulted in a multitude of friends and lifelong memories they both treasured. 

Jim valued his bowling, rodeos, car races, camping, fishing and whiskey.   But whatever he was doing, he valued most his time with Penny, his family and friends.  Everything was better with grandpa’s “medicine” (peppermint schnapps).  A perfect night to Jim was a night out dancing with Penny followed by a full helping of “cackle berries”.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, brothers Roger “Rog” and Terry, his sister Connie, daughter Lana, son Lonnie “Bud”, granddaughter Anna, great-granddaughter Tatum and great-grandson Sinsere.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years Penny; brothers Dave, Ron, and Doug; daughters Lynette (Grover) Frost, Laurie Timmer and Leah (Nathan) Williams, son Lance (Margaret) Timmer, 19 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5^th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gilletttememorialchapel.com