Cynthia Jean Sweeter

On Feb. 1, 2026, Cynthia Jean Sweeter passed away unexpectedly in the early morning hours following a loving and adventure-filled life that took her many places.

Cynthia was born to parents Dr. George W. Fisk and Jean Sweetman Fisk on Aug. 29, 1950, Wichita, Kan., where her father was serving as a congregational minister. She was the third of four children.

Following childhood years spent in Wichita and Rapid City, S.D., where the family relocated in 1956, the First Congregational Church in St. Joseph brought the family to Michigan with the next (and final) stop in her father's ministry. With this move in 1963, Cynthia was able to attend and graduate from St. Joseph High School where she enjoyed many friendships and exploring the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan while excelling in musical pursuits and studies. She followed graduation with a move to East Lansing, where she attended Michigan State University and graduated with an X-ray technician degree through St. Lawrence Hospital in 1971. While at MSU, Cynthia met Michael Sauter, whom she would later marry.

Following their time at MSU, the couple moved to Houston in 1972 where she supported them working as an X-ray technician at the prestigious Texas Children's Hospital, while Michael attained his juris doctorate from the South Texas College of Law. In 1979, the couple moved back to Michigan where Cynthia continued her work at the Morenci Area Hospital until 1982. During this time, she gave birth to her first child.

Following the dissolution of her first marriage, Cynthia returned to Texas. Marrying engineer William Fort, the couple would spend time in Houston and Africa before eventually parting ways. Cynthia would then return to Michigan, settling in Grand Rapids where she would meet Jerry Baker with whom she would have her second child. Her time in Grand Rapids saw her explore an exciting career change as she worked for the city of Grand Rapids as a zookeeper at John Ball Zoological Gardens and later as Section 8 program manager at the Grand Rapids Housing Commission.

During her time in Grand Rapids, she attended the Park Congregational Church where she volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and assisted in any way she could to help support the church's mission. Between 1990 and 1994, she would adopt her third and fourth children.

Cynthia would eventually meet Donald Sweeter of Plainwell. The two married in 2006 and resided happily in their suburban home in Plainwell until her passing.

In her retirement, Cynthia took great passion in supporting causes that aligned with her tremendous sense of empathy, justice, and love for the environment as well as helping those who needed it most. Balancing her activism, she always found fun and leisure nearby, often seeking opportunities to take in art, books, live music, dog shows, museums, zoos, roller derby events and any other activity she could make a trip or adventure out of. Cynthia loved animals and was a valued supporter of rescues and causes dedicated to the ethical treatment of animals.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to causes she actively supported such as Dalis to the Rescue in Alma, Mich., Heaven Can Wait Animal Haven in Muskegon, Mich., or any alternative local animal charity or public library you wish to support in her name and memory.

Caring for others was always important to Cynthia and she is missed dearly by the family and loved ones adjusting to her sudden loss. She is survived by her husband of 19 years, Donald Sweeter; siblings: Jonathan (Pat) Fisk and Madelyn Kehoe; children: Cale (Emily) Sauter, Zoe (Joel) Cramblet, Andrew Fort, and Jennifer Luna Fort; grandchildren: Larson and Brecklin Cramblet, Andre and Hunter Fort.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents: George and Jean Fisk; her sister, Marcia Katherine (Richard) Schultz, and her brother-in-law, Mark Kehoe.

Cremation has taken place. A family gathering for celebration and remembrance will be held at a time and place to be arranged.