Harland Fred Timmerman of San Antonio, TX passed away peacefully Friday, August 27, 2021, at the age of 87, of natural causes. His children were fortunate to be able to spend significant time with him in the weeks prior to his death. Harland was born January 2, 1934 in Battle Creek, Iowa, to Fred and Leona Timmerman. He lived and worked on the family farm near Holstein, Iowa, into his early twenties. He married his pen pal sweetheart, Janet, on February 19, 1956 at the United Methodist Church in Nemaha, Iowa.
Harland was in the Iowa National Guard for a few years before being drafted into the US Army in Sept 1956. Harland was trained as a cook while in the Iowa National Guard, and spent his Army career feeding the troops as a cook and Mess Steward. The Army took him to several states and many countries. When he retired from the Army in 1976, he chose to make his home in El Paso, Texas, home to Fort Bliss. Following his Army career, Harland held a variety of other jobs, including as a deli manager, civilian cook for the Army, and cook at various restaurants.
Harland had 5 children, 5 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Each time a new child was added to the family, you could see the joy and pride in his face.
Harland and Janet moved to San Antonio, TX in 1994. Their daughter Elizabeth moved with them, and sons Keith and David (and their families) already lived in San Antonio. Janet passed away in March 1996, a few weeks after the couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Harland loved traveling and took many trips across the US by car. He visited his children in Colorado, Tennessee, and Minnesota. He went to many National and State Parks, saw the fall colors in the Northeastern US and drove the Blue Ridge Parkway. He enjoyed spending hours making jigsaw puzzles. He also enjoyed reading, watching TV, and playing solitaire, Scrabble, and UpWords. He loved life, the USA, and his entire family.
Harland was preceded in death by his parents, wife Janet, and sons Russell and David. He is survived by three of his children, Keith (Cynthia) Timmerman and grandson Bryan Timmerman, and Cathi (John) Timmerman, and Elizabeth (Andy) Combs and grandson Aaron Combs; daughter-in-law Norma Timmerman; grandsons, Ryan (Kate) Timmerman and great-grandchildren Autumn, Zachary, and Jayden Timmerman, Bradley (Emily) Timmerman and great-grandchildren Charlotte, Hazel, and Jack Timmerman; granddaughter Mia Timmerman; brother Lawrence (Dorthy); and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was loved by all and will be truly missed.
A funeral service for Harland will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Rd. Open visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the service. He will be interred at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the America Heart Association, in Harland’s name.
