Sylvia Riemersma

Sylvia Ann Riemersma (Gardner), aged 85, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, September 19, 2025. 

Sylvia was born in Greenfield, TN and at the age of 10 moved to East Lansing and after graduation from high school moved to Grand Rapids. It was there she met who would be the love of her life and the father of her three children who survive her, Tina (David) TenHarmsel, Russ Riemersma and Jackie Bockheim. 

She will be lovingly remembered by her six grandchildren Amelia Schulte, Aja Townshend, Amanda Schulte (Ben Clark), Brittany Townshend, Sasha Townshend, Bryan Townshend and six great-grandchildren Kayden, Kennedy, Reagan, Jeffrey, Addison and Caroline. 

Sylvia was an only child but would often boast of how loved and spoiled she was growing up because she was showered with loving attention. Sylvia is now in the presence of Jesus where she can reunite with her mother, Mynon, whom passed away when Sylvia was a teenager. Sylvia was a wonderful wife and loving mother to her children. She was able to stay at home to raise her children and later worked many years at Keeler Brass/Belwith International. Her final home was Yorkshire/Stonebridge Manor where she made friends with staff and residents alike. 

We will greatly miss her warm smile and her kindheartedness and genuine southern hospitality. She lit up a room as soon as she entered it and her kind spirit touched so many lives in simple heartfelt ways. We will miss seeing her smiling face accompanied by a goodbye wave out the window as we left after our visits. 

Please attend the family’s Celebration of Life service for Sylvia on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 4350 Plainfield Ave., NE starting promptly at 3:00 p.m. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the compassionate nurses and staff at both Yorkshire/Stonebridge Manor and Emmanuel Hospice for their care during her final weeks. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Yorkshire/Stonebridge Manor or Emmanuel Hospice (envelopes for both will be at service).