Catherine Ruth Offenhauer (Timmer Andersen Baisden) passed away peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease on May 24, 2020, at Fountainview Center for Alzheimer’s Disease in Atlanta. Catherine was born on November 18, 1927, in Grand Rapids, MI, and grew up in Stevens Point, WI. She married Jack D. Andersen in 1948 in Stevens Point and they had two sons, Donald Ross Andersen and James William Andersen. The family moved to Atlanta in 1960. She and Jack were divorced in 1962, but Catherine decided to remain in Atlanta with Don and Jim. She was then married to Tyson E. Baisden, Jr., for more than 25 years.
Catherine was a life-long artist and she completed her undergraduate studies at Georgia State University obtaining a Bachelors degree in Art Education. Several years later she earned a Master of Arts degree. Catherine taught art in the Dekalb County secondary school system for many years, where she inspired her students to develop their skills and appreciate the diversity and beauty of art. Catherine moved to Avondale Estates in 1979. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Decatur where she served as a Stephen Minister and was active with the Decatur Cooperative Ministry.
Following her retirement, Catherine moved to Palmetto, Florida to be close to her brother and sister who also had moved there. She met Robert D. Offenhauer shortly after her move. They were married, and had a joyful life together in Bradenton, FL for nine years until his passing in 2007. While in Bradenton, she was active in the League of Women Voters, serving as President of the Sarasota/Bradenton Chapter, as well as the Island Players, a community theater that Bob had been involved with for many years. She also actively continued her art work inspired by the natural beauty of the Florida coastal environment as seen from their beautiful home adjacent to Sarasota Bay.
Throughout her life, Catherine was focused on nurturing and supporting an ever-expanding family. Perhaps in part because she had been born into a very large family, with her mother being one of twelve children, she made every effort to include her entire family in special events intended to foster their relationships with each other. There were countless special trips with each of her grandchildren individually and in groups, including trips to the beautiful North Georgia mountains, enriching arts activities in Atlanta of interest to them as children, and ultimately, foreign travel with her grandson Ryan when he was a teenager, after he had saved money for the trip. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and step-children all were treated with love, kindness and the special interest that she took in their lives and her genuine delight in all their accomplishments. She forged bonds with the families of those who became members of her family, forming life-long friendships with all of them, especially her daughter–in-law’s mother, Nancy Cobb.
Following her retirement, Catherine also found time for travel to China with her sister Nan and niece Timm, as well as making trips to Alaska. She often returned from her travels with unique works of art that she enjoyed in her home and shared with others.
Catherine is predeceased by her husband Robert Offenhauer, her beloved brother George W. Timmer, her nieces Sandi Timmer Delongchamp and Catherine Eklund Burchell, and her nephew Andrew M. Eklund. Catherine is survived by her sister, Nanette Eklund; her son Donald Ross Andersen, and his wife, Leigh Cobb Andersen, and her son James William Andersen, and his wife, Brenda Hamel Andersen. She is also survived by her grandchildren James Christian Andersen (Stacy), Janine Andersen, Amy Sue Andersen, William Ryan Andersen (Polly), Jon Andersen (Eun Jun); David Christian Andersen (Page), Roy Andersen, and Matthew Andersen (Megan). Great-grandchildren include Jimmy Andersen, Samantha Andersen, Catherine Vanosdol, Cassidy Vanosdol, Ivy Leigh Andersen, Lillian Leigh Andersen, Gavin Andersen, Virginia Page Andersen, Abigail Catherine Andersen, and Conner Andersen. She is also survived by her stepchildren Bill Offenhauer (Victoria), Priscilla Offenhauer, and Dan Offenhauer (Rosemarie), Tyson E. Baisden III, and Rebecca Baisden King. Other survivors include nieces and nephews: George Timmer, Brian Timmer, Timmerly Eklund, Sally Sawin, and Frida Maier. Special recognition goes to Catherine’s longtime caregiver, Minnie Gresham, who lovingly cared for Catherine in the last years of her beautiful life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to:
The Emory Goizueta Alzheimer's Research Center
1762 Clifton Road, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30322
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