Linnea "Lynn" Bylsma

Lynn Bylsma was an incredible woman of faith, love, perseverance, resilience and beauty . She built her life around her family, those who became her family and her church. Her love for her children and grandchildren was inspiring to all who knew her. Lynn’s true example of how to live a joy filled life will forever be remembered by all who knew and loved her.

The 1940s were characterized by WWII. By 1947, some of the most significant inventions that would impact lives for many years to come were created including the Transistor and the Mobile Phone. That same year, Linnea Ann was born to Swedish immigrants, Stanley and Sveri (Klar) Larson, on January 16th, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born the oldest of three siblings, her birth brought her parents great joy.

Growing up on the west side of the city, Lynn lived a typical childhood of the times. She attended local schools and enjoyed Shawmut Elementary before later graduating with the Class of 1965 from Union High School. During her school years, she was quite social and never lacked friends or fun around town. Following high school, Lynn enrolled in courses at Grand Rapids Junior College. Juggling classes and her job as a waitress for Bylsma Pancake House on Leonard NW, Lynn was always on the go. She also worked as a candy striper at Butterworth Hospital for some time. During her time at the restaurant, she grew fond of the cook, Jack Bylsma. Smitten from the start, Lynn and Jack dated before they married on November 17, 1967, at First Evangelical Covenant Church. They started their home on the West Side, welcoming six wonderful children; John, Scott, Kristi, Kerri, Kevin, and Matthew.

With the need for more room for their growing family, Jack and Lynn moved to some land they developed on 8th Avenue near Marne, Michigan. The property provided them with plenty of space and extra outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. The boys were known to bring home the occasional frog or snake in addition to their daily catches. No matter what they brought home, Lynn was sure to cook it! These were busy times with plenty of skinned knees, broken bones, bloody noses and sibling rivalry to go around, yet Lynn took it all in stride. Nothing made her more content than being a mom. In addition to the six kids, the family always had dogs. Mostly they had big dogs including a family favorite, King, as well as Dolly, their horse. Lynn savored these years and the moments she shared with her family.

Once school let out, Lynn and the kids spent nearly the entire summer at Holland State Park. They would park the trailer for two weeks on and one week off. Jack would ride his motorcycle out to the park after work. You could always find them with the Bylsma crew riding jet skis, hitting up the general store for candy cigarettes and Captain Sunday for the final day at the state park. She loved the beach time with her kids and nieces and nephews, passing out tootsie pops and enjoying soaking in the mom tan from only facing forward to watch the kids.

Later when the family moved to Northrup NW, they lived next door to their Larson grandparents which helped lift some of the schedule conflicts of Lynn trying to be more than two places at a time! They also met the Hollebeek family who had three children who grew close to the Bylsmas. Sadly, on December 2, 1987, Jack suffered a fatal heart attack on a return flight from a business trip. He was only forty at the time and the kids ranged in age from four to eighteen years old. Despite the devastation, Lynn’s faith and will for her children gave her the strength to continue without her husband. Her sister Dodie and brother-in-law Al would become a rock for her. With countless sleepovers and the continuation of critters found in pockets their children became a second set of siblings, a bond that they still share today. Known as Auntie Pat to the kids Lynn's best friend since elementary stepped in to wipe the tears and hold Lynn up, the love they share for each other is unmatched and what all of their children would say is inspiring. Times weren’t easy for Lynn but with the help of her family and the Hollebeeks, she loaded up the kids each Spring Break for a trip down to Gulf Shores. She continued this yearly with her parents and siblings, her married children and now her grandchildren.

The routines of Spring Breaks and Sunday dinners after church telling memories of the kids' dad kept her rolling through the seasons until eventually all of the kids were grown. Lynn was always proud of raising her children in the church. She was involved in choir and spent countless hours volunteering for not only the church but for West Side Christian School. She modeled a strong faith life by taking them to Highland Hills Christian Reformed before she later returned to her home church, First Evangelical Covenant Church. Her many days of taking the kids to the nursery at Lincoln Lanes bowling alley while she played in a league or hosted teenagers over for dinner weaved into shopping at TJ Maxx or Marshalls to pick out treasures for her grandkids. She passed down her love for her Swedish heritage by gifting Tomte's, Dala Horses and Lucia's and teaching her children to make Swedish dishes for the Smorgasbord . Her diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis a few years ago slowed her down but didn’t limit her ability to share in her family’s special events and activities. No trip to one of her kids' pools or cottage could be made without her Grandma snack basket filled with all the kids favorites. Known to many as the Candy Grandma she was always passing out her favorite swedish fish.

Lynn lived a life filled with Joy and Faith, found in many of her devotions was one phrase that she often repeated "Be joyous in all circumstances". She was their rock was a phrase said by those dearest to her, there is no doubt that she will be deeply missed by her loving family. Her legacy will continue in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. May her loved ones always trust that she is now at home with her Lord and Savior and may her memories be eternal.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ."

Linnea “Lynn” Ann Bylsma age 77, of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away unexpectedly on January 11, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, John H. "Jack" Bylsma Jr; son, Scott Bylsma; parents, Stanley (Sveri) Larson; and in-laws, John H. (Hazel) Bylsma Sr. Lynn is survived by her children, John H. (Sarah) Bylsma III, Sharon Bylsma, Kristi (Kirt) Elliott, Kerri (Jon) Allen, Kevin (Megan) Bylsma, and Matt (Kendra) Bylsma; 18 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her siblings, Dan (Jan) Larson and Dodie (Al) Weston; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Reita (Jerry) Julien, Karen (Tom) Postmus, Bruce (Jan) Bylsma, Vonnie (Steve) VanderWeide, and Dan (Sharon) Bylsma; many nieces, nephews, and close friends.