Russell Roy Boersma II

Russell Roy Boersma II, beloved husband and father, 64, passed away the morning of January 14, 2025.

Russell was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 17, 1960, to father, Russell Boersma and mother, Anita Murphy. He was one of six children. Russell attended Creston and Northview High Schools. He went on to join the Air Force, where he became a medic. While in the Air Force, he received a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration. Russell happily served in the Air Force from 1980-2000, and considered his years of service to be some of the best of his life. After leaving the military, he decided to pursue his love of caring for others further by receiving his LPN, followed soon after by becoming an RN. He was an Emergency Room nurse for 23 years.

Russell was a devoted husband of 33 years to wife, Theanae Boersma. Theirs was a marriage filled with love, laughter, and continual growth until the end. He was also a loving father to his sixteen children, Nicole, Melissa, Jeremy, Mindy, Brett, Breanna, Jeana, Mathew, Nicholas, Russell, Lillian, Savannah, Adriana, Katherine, Henry, and Winifred. Russell was a grandfather to thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His large, boisterous family was a source of great pride for Russell, who loved each of his children unconditionally.

Outside of spending time with his family and work, Russell could often be seen getting lost in a good fiction novel, studying a foreign language, engaging in politics, cheering on the Detroit Lions, riding his scooter, or debating the superiority of Batman vs. Superman. All with a bottle of Mountain Dew in hand, naturally. He enjoyed chatting with his friends at his local YMCA, where he was infamous for his exercise bike puddles. He loved to travel and tried to seize any opportunity for adventure.

Russell will always be remembered for his ability to empathize with those less fortunate, and his ability to be continually optimistic about life, right up until the end. He firmly believed that we all need to not let our worries drive us, look for the bright side, and keep moving forward.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Boersma and Anita Murphy; and his son, Jeremy Boersma. He is survived by his wife; sixteen children; and his siblings, Robin, Ronda, Jon, Amy, and Jodi.

The memorial service will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m, at the Family Worship and Praise Center in Hopewell, VA. The interment will take place at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with full military honors, at a later date.