Evelyn Bursma

Categorized | Church Connection, Obituary

Posted on 28 December 2012.

Mrs. Evelyn Bursma, age 98, of Cedar Springs, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, on Sunday, December 23, 2012. She was born in Coopersville, Michigan, where her parents, Leonard and Georgia (Nee Granger) VanderVelde raised cattle, chickens, and crops to support them. When school was out for the day, she needed to come straight home and had many chores to do. After she was married, she became homemaker, wife and eventually a mother to four children. Mrs. Bursma was raised in a Christ-centered home and on Sunday and other special days they would travel by horse and buggy to get to church or other events. One can only imagine the changes that Mrs. Bursma witnessed during her lifetime. The Great Depression, invention of the automobile, World Wars, impeachment of a President, man landing on the moon, and terrorist attacks on our nation. She also watched her own children grow and become adults, marry and have children, and even becoming a great grandmother.  She taught her children about embroidering, cooking, parenting and a great faith life by her example. In recent years before her eyesight failed she would cross stitch, work crossword puzzles, and play a good game of bingo. Mrs. Bursma is survived by her children, Edward L. Bursma, Betty Jean Bursma, Elaine June and Ron Schofield, Ron and Beverly Bursma; 9 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Bursma on October 27, 1999, her brother, George VanderVelde, and sisters, Marian Brown, and Lillian Buist. The service in celebrating her faith life and physical life for Mrs. Bursma will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Pederson Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Tigchon officiating. Interment in Washington Park Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Sanctuary at Saint Mary’s, 1050 Four Mile Road NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.