Phyllis Joan Tuinstra, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and child of God, died Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Born to Bastian and Nellie De Jager, Phyllis was one of five children raised in a Christian home shaped by faith, hard work and deep family bonds. Phyllis was born on Oct. 20, 1938, in Oostburg, Wisc. A few years later, her family moved to Huntington, W. Va., to be closer to relatives during the years following the Great Depression.
They made a new start in Cincinnati in 1942, when her father Bastian found steady work in a nursery. In 1953, the family relocated again, to Grand Rapids. After two years in a rented house, they finally put down lasting roots on a farm in the Byron Center area, where Bastian later built his greenhouse business.
Phyllis married Lawrence (Larry) Tuinstra on Dec. 2, 1960. They began their married life in Martin, before settling nearby in Shelbyville, where they built the home in which they raised their family and established the family business, Tuinstra Greenhouse.
She devoted more than 30 years of her life to the horticulture industry. Her love of plants and nature extended far beyond her professional life. Every room, window and corner overflowed with collections of flowering and ornamental plants. From vibrant seasonal flowers to delicate perennials, her home was a sanctuary of color and life, reflecting her deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. Phyllis and Larry were blessed to celebrate 65 years of marriage in 2025, surrounded by the family and friends. Throughout their life together, they were devoted members of East Martin Christian Reformed Church. That same faith inspired them to volunteer with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and World Renew, participating in multiple disaster-response mission trips and serving others with compassion and humility.
Phyllis and Larry had four children – Cheryl, Charlene, Vincent, and Mitchell — and Phyllis poured herself into her family with devotion. Some of her happiest days were spent at Pratt Lake in West Michigan and on Anna Maria Island in Florida, savoring long afternoons of sunshine and picnics surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.
An accomplished cook, Phyllis delighted in preparing meals and sharing her favorite dishes.
On family trips, she often reflected that the most magnificent “cathedrals” in the world were not built by human hands, but found in the national parks and natural places.
Deeply committed to Christian education, Phyllis faithfully supported her children’s schooling. When her youngest child left home for Calvin University, Phyllis embraced a long-held personal goal-returning to school herself. She earned her high school degree in 1991.
Phyllis is survived by her husband, Larry; children Cheryl (Paul), Havenaar, Charlene (Jim) DeMoore, Vincent (Kim) Tuinstra, and Mitchell (Michelle) Tuinstra; her siblings Stan (Wanda) De Jager, John (Elaine) De Jager, and Nancy (Bob) Grevenstuk; and her sister-in-law Arlene Wustman.
She was preceded in death by her sister Madge and by her in-laws: Harold and Flossie Tuinstra, Bob and Dorothy Helmholdt, Ted Wustman, and Ed Liscomb.
Phyllis’s legacy continues in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jennifer (Scott), Owen, and Evelynn Vlietstra; Benjamin (Meg Kline) Brussee; Kristen (Benjamin), Reese, Quinn, Ellie, and Kylee Klooster; Ashley (Matthew), Tyler (Abby), and Morgan Double; Erica (Josh), James, Hannah, and Logan Gruber; Chelsea (Patrick), Courtney, Jackson, and Jordan Keller; Casey (Lindsey), Mason, and Kendell DeMoore; Nicolaas (Emma) and Hallie Tuinstra; Evan Tuinstra; Jonathan Tuinstra; Zoie Tuinstra; Christopher Tuinstra; Chloe Tuinstra; Caden A celebration of Phyllis’ life will take place Saturday, Dec. 20, at East Martin CRC, 1782 5th St. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a service at noon. A luncheon will be provided after the service. Interment will take place at East Martin Cemetery at 2:15 p.m. the same day.
In lieu of flowers and to honor Phyllis’ wishes, please donate to East Martin Christian School (https://eastmartin.org/support/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) or Kalamazoo Christian High School (https://kcsa.org/give/).
