Raymond Talsma

Raymond H. Talsma was born April 30, 1948 to Dick and Angie (Masselink) Talsma. He attended Chandler Christian Elementary School and Southwest Christian High School, graduating in 1966. He then attended Jackson Vocational School for carpentry.

Ray enlisted in the Navy in the fall of 1969 and served in the Seabees until July of 1971. During that time, he was trained to be a mechanic, which began a lifetime of enjoying fixing things.

Ray married Sharon Post on February 15, 1974. They made their home on a farm south of Chandler, MN and were blessed with four children.

Ray farmed and worked in carpentry for many years. He enjoyed fixing and repairing things, along with planning and building new projects. He was always willing to help and serve others.

A lifelong member of the Chandler Christian Reformed Church, Ray served on church council as both an elder and a deacon. He was also on the boards of the Chandler Coop, Chandler Christian School, New Life Treatment Center, Volunteers in Mercy. He volunteered with the Sioux Falls Prison Ministry and was a proud member of the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; children, Katie Talsma of Black Mountain, NC, Kurt (Vonda) Talsma of Chandler, MN, Kris Talsma of Orange City, IA, and Kyle (Tina) Talsma of Chandler, MN; grandchildren, Bennett, Brooklyn, Blaire, Brynlee, Tenika, Kolby, and Kipten; siblings, Glen (Marcia) Talsma, Diane (David) Jurgensen, Dorothy (Verle) Vander Ploeg, Roger (Pam) Talsma, Darla (Curt) Wieneke, and Denise (Scott) Marquardt; brothers-in-law, Marvin Van Dam and Pat Doyscher; Sharon’s siblings, Harold (Everly) Post, Joyce (Claude) Wiersma, Larry (Roberta) Post, Brian Post, and Connie Post; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; sisters Donna Van Dam and Delores Doyscher; brothers-in-law Dennis and Ken Post; and nephews Kevin and Paul Van Dam and Benjamin Wiersma.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 4:00-7:00PM at the Chandler Christian Reformed Church in Chandler, MN. A burial service with full military honors provided by the American Legion will take place prior to the funeral service on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10:00AM at the Chandler Memorial Cemetery. The funeral service will be held at the Chandler Christian Reformed Church at 11:00AM following the burial service.