Trudie Dean Wierda

Trudie attended Timothy Christian School and graduated from Fulton High School in Illinois followed by a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Calvin College and the Blodgett School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, MI. She later attended Andrews University where she received her master’s degree in nursing. Trudie put all of this education to work starting at Blodgett Hospital, the doctor office of Budnick, Bulson, and Reynolds and finally in various positions throughout the Butterworth/Spectrum Health Hospital system. She was recognized for her research work and was able to attend several conferences throughout the United States in such enviable locations as San Francisco, New Orleans, and San Antonio. Her final position with Spectrum enabled her to work with each of the new, non-licensed employees as they began their journey with Spectrum. While technology was never her friend in the past, she found herself helping them learn how to navigate the various computer systems that were employed throughout the hospital which created many memorable moments for her family.

She is survived by her daughters Lisa (John) Miller of Midlothian, VA and Traci Wierda of Ada, MI; granddaughters Christine and Stephanie Miller of Essex, MD; stepbrother, Dale Bielema of Milford, DE; sisters-in-law, Janet Lambert; and Sally Wierda. She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Grace Youngsma; stepfather, Reuben Bielema; her husband of 44 years, Edwin Wierda; and sister, Gay Youngsma.

Visitation with Trudie’s family and friends will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 5, 2025 at Cook Memorial Chapel, 4235 Prairie Street SW, Grandville, Michigan 49418. Funeral services for Trudie will be held 11 a.m. Saturday September 6, 2025, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m., at Cook Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Trudie, contributions may be made to Dementia Society of America.

Nana may be gone but we are comforted that she is no longer bound by a body that was never her permanent home. The family welcomes memories and messages at cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.