Gerard "Jerry" Bosscher

Gerard Jay Bosscher was an accomplished man in life because of his God-given talents and blessings. He was skilled and inventive, dependable and hard working, good natured and fun loving. Always there for his family and never complaining about challenges that came his way, Jerry had the respect of his community and the deep love of his wife, children, grandchildren and siblings.

Gerard Jay was born to Albert and Winifred Bosscher in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 22, 1924. At that time, the nation was recovering from the First World War and straining to rebuild its economy. By the end of the decade, stock markets fell and countries around the world experienced long years of economic depression. Like others of his generation who survived a financial crisis and a brutal world war, Jerry was shaped by the values of duty and sacrifice that put him in the company of others who have been called “The Greatest Generation.”

Jerry and his siblings—Gretta, Elaine and Robert—grew up on Newark Street SE and formed a close bond with each other as they enjoyed a childhood full of fun and nurture. Jerry especially liked ice skating and playing hockey, and in high school he starred in track. The support of his parents was guaranteed by his mother staying home to care for the family and his father working to make B & B Rug and Furniture Cleaners a successful business.

Jerry’s own launch into the work world began with his graduation from Davis Vocational and Technical School in Grand Rapids and then mechanical drafting studies in Detroit. One day, traveling across state to go to school, Jerry had little expectation that trading in a bus ticket for a train ticket would change his life remarkably. On the train from Lake Odessa to Detroit, he met a lovely young woman named Lucille Hansbarger and struck up a conversation. He ended up asking her out for a hamburg (Dutch treat), and that was the beginning of a lifelong romance. They dated over a period of four years while Lucille finished high school in Detroit and Jerry left for Camp Grant, Illinois, having been drafted into the US Army during WWII.

Jerry served valiantly in Rhineland Central Europe, earning many medals and decorations, including the Purple Heart. He was wounded in Germany toward the end of the war on March 29, 1945. Gratefully, he returned home to take up life with his sweetheart Lucille.

Jerry and Lucille were married on September 21, 1946 at First Congregational Church in Lake Odessa. They honeymooned at a cottage in northern Michigan before settling into a home on Haines Street on the city’s northwest side. There they attended Westend Christian Reformed Church and raised their three children: Randy born in 1949, Dave in 1953, and Nancy in 1955. Jerry worked at a mechanical draftsman, until he had to take over his father's carpet cleaning business.

Jerry not only provided for his family through hard work and dedication, he made sure they enjoyed fun times in life. Cookouts with Jerry at the grill and vacations near Lake Michigan were memorable occasions for the whole family. For two weeks every summer, they stayed right next to the magnificent dunes at Silver Lake. Jerry and Lucille also liked to travel, making several trips to Florida and destinations such as Austria, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Scotland, Italy and more. His favorite trip of all was biking in the Netherlands, a great way to experience the country of his ancestry.

Jerry wasn’t one to sit still, even when he was at home. He liked woodworking and puttering around the house, making frames, boats, planes and even carving a new nose bridge for his glasses. He was fan of Big Band dance music and a fanatic of Civil War history. His hobbies included fishing, golfing, reading, eating good food, and in time, doing “grandpa” things.

Jerry was a very active grandfather. He spent a lot of time with his grandchildren, camping at Woods & Waters near Grand Rapids, taking trips to the zoo, and having them stay overnight at Grandpa and Grandma’s. If at all possible, he showed up at all their basketball, volleyball, softball and soccer games. His grandchildren and great grandchildren, even those yet to be born, were very important to him.

The most cherished person in Jerry’s life was always his wife Lucille. They were together through everything, including his declining health in recent years. Having moved to Lincoln Square for ease of independent living, Jerry then briefly resided at Trillium Woods hospice until the time of his death on Monday, April 16, 2012.

As a beloved husband, father and grandfather, Jerry will be missed and warmly remembered by his dear family and a community that knew him well.

Gerard “Jerry” Bosscher, aged 87 of Grand Rapids, Michigan is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lucille; children, Randy (Diana) Bosscher, David (Karen) Bosscher, and Nancy Kidder ; grandchildren, Peter (Jen) Bosscher, Robyn (Josh) Warner, Jodi (Scott) Hayes, Jon-Eric Bosscher, Margot (Jon) Sitterley, Josh Kidder and Ashley Blohm, and Lisa Kidder; 5 great-grandchildren, Hunter, Dustin, Alexis, Caylee, Nolan; and siblings, Gret (Paul) Bennink, Elaine (Tom) VanZalen, and Robert Bosscher. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 PM on Friday April 20, 2012 at Westend Christian Reformed Church, 1015 Westend Ave NW. Friends may visit with his family on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Faith Hospice or West Side Christian School. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook online.