Larry Len Heimer

Larry Len Heimer passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2009, at Rosewood Care Center in Rockford, IL at the age of 72. He battled cancer for eleven years. Larry was born on February 16, 1937, to Leonard and Evelyn (Thiede) Heimer, in the town of Hartland south of Bonduel, WI. He grew up on the family farm where he learned his core values of hard work, thrift, kindness, and compassion. He attended Bonduel High School and graduated as the class Salutatorian in 1955. He attended the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point for two years. His passion was math and science. Larry married Jane M. Brede on March 1, 1958, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in White Clay Lake, near Cecil, WI. Larry worked at Kimberly-Clark Corporation. In 1958 he moved to Rockford, Illinois, and began his beloved job at Sundstrand Corporation. Later, he went to White- Sundstrand in Belvidere. After his retirement in 1991, Larry was a daily volunteer at Jefferson High School. He was also an active member of the Those Who Excel committee since 1997 and created all the posters for the nominees. Larry is survived by Jane, his wife of 51 years; two sons, Keith (Bev) of Marysville, PA and Mark (Tammy) of Rockford. Three grandchildren Jordan, Andrew and Gracie Heimer. One step-grandchild Karen, two step- great-grandchildren Cortney Daughenbaugh and Shane; one step- great- great- grandchild Vidya. One brother Dennis (Karen) of Neenah, WI; one Uncle Bill (Vange) Theide of Bonduel, WI and in addition, he is missed by his beloved cats.  The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Fellars and his staff, Dr. Edwards and his staff, and to all who assisted him at Rockford Memorial Hospital. Furthermore, thank you to all the loving and caring staff members at Rosewood Care Center. Visitation will be Thursday, August 20, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108. Funeral Services will be held at a later date in Wisconsin. Memorials to honor Larry may be made to the family for a scholarship, to Those Who Excel, or to any animal shelter that houses cats. To