Grace Yulia Tjeerdsma Funeral Service

Photos from today's service can be found in the "Photos" tab on the left side of this page.

Grace Yulia Tjeerdsma, 25, formerly of the Brookings area, passed away on March 26, 2020, as a result of an automobile accident in Oklahoma.  Due to the concern regarding public gatherings, a private family service will be held at a future date, with burial taking place at Trinity Cemetery in Volga, South Dakota.  Memorials may be directed to Grace's family for further designation.

Grace Yulia Tjeerdsma was born on January 22, 1995, in Vasylkiv City, Kiev Region, in Ukraine.  She was adopted in 2003, at the age of 8 years old by Larry and Dwan (Buttenhoff) Tjeerdsma.  In her early life, Grace attended schools in Avon, Clear Lake, Elkton, and Brookings, South Dakota.  She graduated in 2014, from Brookings High School.

Throughout her life, Grace held various jobs, but unfortunately had not yet found her calling in life.  Spurred by her love of travel, Grace had moved to Texas, and Arizona before landing in Oklahoma, which she called home since September of 2019.  She was a member of Faith Reformed Church in Brookings.

Grace had many loves throughout her short life.  She enjoyed dance, color guard, swim team, and 4-H in her younger years.  As she grew older she cultivated an appreciation for collecting scarves, loved Christmas time, especially receiving her yearly Christmas ornament from family, animals (it seemed that she always had a pet regardless of where she was), and especially board games.  Grace was an avid Skipbo player throughout her life.  She also gained a special affinity for various foods, particularly mashed potatoes and dill pickles, and of course, sleep.  She will be remembered as a friendly, happy, outgoing, smiley, and talkative person, to all of her family and friends.  Grace truly had a servant's heart, always placing the needs of others above her own.

Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  Romans 5:5

Grace is survived by her fiancée and love of her life, Austin Ramsey, of Atoka, OK; her parents, Larry and Dwan Tjeerdsma, of Volga, SD; brother, Luke Tjeerdsma; sister, Clare Tjeerdsma, of Brookings, SD; niece, Amara Grambihler; grandmother, Bea Buttenhoff; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents: Melvin Buttenhoff, and Gertrude and Orvan Tjeerdsma; and an uncle, Wayne "Brownie" Brown.

Memorials may be sent to:

The Family of Grace Tjeerdsma

c/o Eidsness Funeral Home

1617 Orchard Drive

Brookings, South Dakota 57006