Patsy L. Wier

Although Patsy Wier valued many things in her life, none were more important than creating close relationships with the family she treasured so deeply. She was a loving wife, devoted mother and proud grandmother and great grandmother, who through her commitment to her family, redefines the concept of unconditional love. Patsy had a generous spirit and loved to give of her time and talents. She had such a full, caring heart, and everyone who spent time with her felt the warmth of her presence. With the Great Depression hanging over the country, the year 1935 was a time of difficulty for all Americans, whether you lived in the city or in the country. The unemployment rate pushed toward new heights, and those who had jobs were often underpaid and overworked. It was a challenging time, but Marion Cook and his wife, Mildred (Youker), of Muskegon, Michigan maintained their positive spirits by focusing on a new blessing in their lives. On August 5, 1935, the couple welcomed the birth of their daughter, Patsy, at Hackley Hospital. The oldest of four children, Patsy was a doting big sister to her siblings: Don, Shirley and Charlotte. While her mother tended to the home and children, her father earned a living working at Continental Motors in Muskegon. Just before Patsy started school, her parents moved the family to Fruitport in 1939. Patsy spent her academic career attending Fruitport Elementary and Muskegon Heights High School. In 1950, a wonderful thing happened to Patsy she met her first husband, Garth Miller, who was also from Fruitport. After dating for some time, the two were married on February 20, 1954. The happy couple spent the next 22 years together, raising their four children: Dave, Jeanne, Garth, Jr. and Patty, and sharing many wonderful memories as a family. Like her mom, Patsy was a homemaker, who loved to cook and bake for her family. She was active in the lives of her children while also creating a home that was a place where love was plentiful. Patsy was especially devoted to the care of her daughter Patty, who suffered with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. As parents, Patsy and Garth were always there to support their kids in all their activities, like their son Daves baseball games. Patsy also found time to give back to her community as a longtime volunteer at Fruitport Edgewood Elementary School. For Patsy, family was the greatest source of happiness in her life. They had lots of extended family (on both sides) living in the area, which kept them close-knit and always up to something. Whether it was camping, snowmobiling, smelt dipping or deer hunting, they had fun in whatever they were doing. Patsy also numbered many longtime friends and neighbors to her family fold, including the LeNores, Greens, DeVries, Johnsons, Brauns, Vanderkoois and Kellys. She treasured each one of their friendships and enjoyed their time together. In 1976, Patsy tragically and unexpectedly lost her beloved husband Garth; he was only 41. She was truly heartbroken, but was able to find comfort surrounded by her family and friends. A year later, Patsy had much reason to be happy as she held her first grandchild, Luis, in her arms for the first time. Her joy of being a grandmother just grew as she was blessed with five more grandchildren: Tara, Andrea, Solane, Amber and Allen, all of who she adored. Patsy was so very proud of her grandchildren, and fostered a close relationship with each one of them. Like with her kids, she enjoyed cheering on her grandson Luis at his football games, and her granddaughters, Tara, Andrea and Amber, at their baseball games. She truly was their #1 fan! After some time, Patsy reconnected with an old friend, Jack Wier, in 1980, and they enjoyed spending time together. Jack proved to be more than a friend when Patsy suffered a stroke in 1981, and he vigilantly stood by her, helping in any way he could. After her recovery later that year, the two were happily married. They lived, loved and treasured every moment together, spending time at the cabin on Diamond Lake in White Cloud, taking adventurous road trips and vacations, and wintering in warm Arizona. There was always fun to be had when the family got together, particularly for the holidays. Patsy also enjoyed just having some girl time with her lifelong friends, Mary Kelly, Carolyn Vanderkooi, Sharon Essenberg and Thelma Fetherstone. Once again Patsy endured great sorrow when she lost her husband Jack suddenly in January 2007, after 26 years of marriage. She tried to stay busy with the remodeling of her home and having her family around as much as possible. As her health began to decline, Patsy went to live at the Sanctuary at McAuley, where her good friend, Mary Kelly, was living. In no time at all, Patsy settled into her new surroundings and with her outgoing charm and fun wit, she quickly became good friends with the Staff that took such wonderful care of her. With her family by her side, Patsy passed away on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at the age of 77. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Patsy is survived by her sons, Dave Miller of White Cloud, Garth Miller, Jr. of Fruitport; daughters, Jeanne (Jim) Knoll of Muskegon, Patty (Bryan) Rich of Fruitport, Dorothy Wier of AZ; grandchildren, Luis, Tara, Andrea, Solane, Amber, Allen; great grandchildren, Gage, Hailey, Jenna; brother, Don (Margaret) Cook of Fruitport; sisters, Shirley Kammers of Lowell, Charlotte (Jack) Grevel of Muskegon; several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Garth and Jack. Services will be on Monday, October 29, at 11:00 a.m. and visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Fruitport Congregational UCC (corner of Park & 8th) with Rev. Donald Wood officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fruitport Lions Club or Sanctuary at McAuley Activities Center. Please visit Patsys personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory and sign her online guest book.