Margaret A. (Bustraan) Wiersma 1928 - 2026

"What we know of love, we learn at home."

Our dear mom and grandma, Marge (Margaret) Wiersma, 97, passed to glory on January 13, 2026. Margaret Ann Bustraan was born in the family home on the "West Side" of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Both her parents and her three older brothers died many years ago. She and dad taught us so much, above all to love God and family, and to serve others.

She met her beloved husband John at a bowling alley. "Margaret" did not fit on the scorecard, so she was "Marge" from then on. They were fully committed to each other, their three children, John's businesses, Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church, many ministries, missionaries and charities, and to their extended families. They sacrificed to send their children to Christian schools and they modeled daily prayer and devotions.

Marge was a willing volunteer, with 4-H sewing, Calvinettes (now GEMS), church ministries and missions, and as a school room-mother for all her kids. They took their young family on frequent picnics, road trips, and camping. They loved their "retreat" on the lakeshore at Sandy Pines. They continued to travel as long as they could, including Europe, the Caribbean, China and Haiti–and of course, to wherever their children and grandchildren lived.

In 2001, in their mid-seventies, John and Marge had the foresight to move into independent living at the life care community of Holland Home-Raybrook. Marge enjoyed daily conversations at the bulletin board and mail room as well as her volunteer job of posting daily flyers in the elevators.

When John's vision failed, Marge was his faithful caregiver until he died suddenly in 2016. She bravely carried on through the challenges of aging, including a broken arm, moves to Assisted Living and then to Nursing, and through the decline of dementia.

She was blessed with three children, seven grandchildren and spouses, and six great grandchildren. She was sad that most of her family lived far away. She grieved the early deaths of her older daughter Karen Jelsema in 2013 and her daughter-in-law Eileen (DeYoung) Wiersma in 2010.

She is lovingly remembered and honored by her daughter Jane Thomas (Dave) of Santa Fe NM, son Mark Wiersma (Anne Lucasse) of Grand Rapids MI, and all her precious grandchildren and spouses: Jeff Jelsema, Chad Jelsema, Morgan (Ana) Nichols, Michael Thomas, Daniel (Jenna) Wiersma, Andrew (Kailyn) Wiersma, and Beth (Greg) Ghering. We wish the great grandchildren could have known her better: Taylor and Brayden; Chainey; Liese; Jesse and Isaac.

The family especially thanks the staff of Raybrook 4th floor nursing and of Faith Hospice for their loving, professional care of our mom and grandma.

A celebration of life will be on May 8, 2026 in the chapel at Raybrook Manor, 2121 Raybrook SE, Grand Rapids MI 49546. Visitation 1:30, service 2:00, followed by a light reception. Memorial gifts are appreciated to https://faithhospicecare.org/donate/ or to GEMS at https://gemsgc.org/give/