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HONORING THE LIFE OF MRS. SUSAN ``CHERI'' CHERYL MAINARD OFNER
______
HON. DOUG LAMBORN
of colorado
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 10, 2021
Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mrs. Susan ``Cheri'' Cheryl Mainard Ofner, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, patriot, and friend.
Cheri was born July 27, 1951, in Dallas, Texas to the late Loretta and Aston ``Dee'' Dale Mainard. She was the oldest of four children, and at an early age, developed a love for sports, her country, and the Lord.
Cheri was a woman of great faith and spent her life dedicated to learning and sharing the Word of God. As a young girl, Cheri's family moved to Houston, and attended Springs Branch Baptist Church, where her mother taught Sunday school.
Cheri attended school as a National Merit Scholar at the University of Texas, where she secured a highly competitive spot on the gymnastics team. It was during gymnastics practice where Cheri met the love of her life, Lee Ofner, in January 1971. The couple's first date was watching Superbowl V, played between the Baltimore Colts and the Dallas Cowboys.
In 1972, Cheri graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance & Accounting, and in 1973 married Lee in a ceremony at her home church in Houston, Texas. A few years later, in 1975, Lee earned a Doctorate in Dental Surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry and began his U.S. Navy tour in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The couple moved back to Dallas after Lee completed his tour with the U.S. Navy. Together with Cheri's degree in business and Lee's doctorate in dental surgery, they established a successful dental practice in 1977. During this time, Cheri and Lee had two children, Jay and Courtney. Cheri was an all-star mom, attending every soccer practice, school musical, ballet, Bible study, etc. She even coached Courtney's gymnastics team.
The Ofners eventually retired from dentistry, and ultimately, found their forever home in 1991 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Cheri and Lee immediately became involved with their new community, joining several Bible studies, volunteering on campaigns for the Republican party, and helping with various events and fundraisers at the Colorado Springs Christian School.
Since putting down roots in the Pikes Peak region, the Ofner family attended several churches in Colorado Springs, including Fellowship Bible Church, Woodmen Valley Chapel, Rocky Mountain Calvary, Mountain Springs, and most recently, The [email protected] Chapel Hills Church.
For the last few years of Cheri's life, she and Lee cared for her father Dee, a WWII veteran, in their home, for which Cheri was extremely grateful.
Cheri is survived by her husband of nearly fifty years, Lee; her loving children, CDR (USNR) Jay (Jennifer) Ofner of Mililani, Hawaii; and MAJ (USAF, Retired) Courtney (Kirk) Olsen of Colorado Springs, Colorado; her beloved grandchildren Amanda, Evie, Aaron, and Kylie; and her wonderful siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Romans 12:11 commands that His believers, ``Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the LORD.'' Cheri did just this and lived her life with conviction, passion, and unadulterated love and excitement for her Heavenly Father. She leaves behind her husband, family, and friends who loved and adored her and who are celebrating her life and reunion in heaven with the Lord God, Almighty. I ask that my colleagues in Congress join me in honoring my friend and fellow patriot, Cheri Ofner, in saying, ``well done, good and faithful servant.''
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 156
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