Bruce Talsma

Bruce Allyn Talsma passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Sunday, November 8, 2020. Bruce loved his country, red-white-and-blue Marine to the end. Working outdoors was his therapy. He had a great eye for making his property look like a park. His profession before retirement was in the trucking industry and he was recently informed that he was a legend among his fellow truck drivers. In his lifetime, he would point to a number of mistakes he made, some on a large scale. At the same time, others point to a man who knew redemption and forgiveness, cherished each new day as a gift, embodied patience and kindness and had a great sense of humor. He was a hard worker and didn’t learn to take breaks until later in life. He lived with back pain for the last 16 years but that didn’t slow him down and he never complained. Unknown to anyone until the last week, he was also living with lung cancer which spread through his body and finally took his life. He was loved by many and will be dearly missed by family and friends. Bruce was born on January 2, 1940, to Clarence and Jeannette Talsma. He was preceded in death by his sister, Phyllis Talsma and his son, Andrew Asmondy-Talsma (surviving spouse Kim). He is survived by his wife Sandra Talsma; daughters Terri (Jimmy) Bousaab, Jennifer (Ron) Kittredge-Hageman, Wendy (Chris) Johnson, Dawn (Randy) Norman, Heather (Boe) Misner, Ada (Joe) Aungst; son Ben (deceased spouse Becky); sisters Delores (Roger) Meekhof, Kathleen (Neal) Plantenga; sisters-in-law Rose Veltema, Diana (David) Blevins, Donna (Craig) Elston, Darlene Veltema; brothers-in-law Arnold (Shirley) Veltema, Bruce (Diane) Veltema, Roger Veltema; 24 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. In addition, he will be missed by his constant canine companion, Samson. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Wellspring Community Church, 4466 Bauer Road, Hudsonville MI on Thursday, November 19 at 2:00 PM. Visitation with the family will take place from 1:00 to 1:45 PM and after the celebration. In lieu of flowers, Bruce’s desire is to have donations given to family members serving on the mission field thru Finish the Task Missions. To submit your contribution, please donate through the following link: http://www.pushpay.com/g/finishthetaskmissions?a=0&fnd=F44147G