Obituary of Paul A. Lillmars

Paul Arne Lillmars of Parker, Colorado

October 15, 1931 to June 29, 2021

The youngest child of Arne and Signe Lillmars, Paul had four sisters and one brother, all deceased.

Paul hailed from Muskegon, Michigan where he grew up surrounded by water, Mona Lake on one side and Lake Michigan on the other. After loosing his mother at an early age, Paul fell under the care of his oldest sister, Mildred, and other relatives.  During his teenage years, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and ended up finishing his high school education in Chicago.  From there he was sent to Colorado to continue treatment of his TB.  It was here that Paul met the love of his life, Mary Gomez, a most caring and competent nurse.

 Paul and Mary were married July 11, 1954, and began a family, eventually having one daughter and two sons. Paul was the ultimate family man. Everything revolved around his children and their activities. He also loved his homestead with all the animals, dogs, cats, horses, a donkey, chickens and rabbits. Trees planted through the years now stand tall and strong from years of loving care.

Paul loved to cook and bake. He was always trying new dishes with a special ingredient or techniques that he learned while earning an associates degree in Food Service Management. Ultimately he started a catering business, providing wedding cakes and all the fixings, a real artistic endeavor!  Paul was also a musician and poet. He could play the piano, reading music or just playing by ear. His poem, Soulmates, was published in the 1993 edition of Treasured Poems of America.

Paul never met a stranger and honored those of other cultures, always curious to learn of their customs.  He was active in many civic organizations, volunteer fire fighter, Grange, Boy Scouts, square dancing, senior center and the Leisure Club at Ave Maria Catholic Church.

Paul is survived by his wife Mary, three children; Signe (John) Pucky; Michael (Amy Kilpatric) and Gregory (Patty) Lillmars; grandchildren: Adrienne, Renee, Margaret, Anna Hallie, Elizabeth, Jordan, Michael, Kyle and Kacie as well as seven great grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for Tuesday, July 20, 2021, Ave Marie Catholic Church, Parker, Colorado.  Rosary at 10:30 am followed by Mass at 11:00 am.  A reception to follow in Brownstein Hall.