Tunis Jansma

Rock Rapids, IA     Tunis Lloyd "TL" Jansma age 69 of Rock Rapids, IA died Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 at St. James, MN.           Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Dr. Cliff Hoekstra officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.           Visitation will be Monday from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM with family present from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids.        Tunis Lloyd "TL" Jansma was born October 5th, 1947 at LeMars, IA, the son of Floyd and Anna (Jacobsma) Jansma. He received his education at Rock Valley Christian, Hull Christian, and Western Christian High School. Tunis helped his father on the farm until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1966. He was stationed in Germany as a wrecker driver and served in the military until 1968. On January 10th, 1969, TL was united in marriage to Linda Lode at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, IA. The young couple farmed for several years in the Doon area. After farming, the family lived in Doon, IA, for several years before moving to Rock Rapids, IA, in 1989. TL drove truck and hauled many things in his early trucking career. He loved trucking and talking about trucking. Tunis worked as an Owner Operator (TL Jansma Trucking), hauling hazardous chemicals for Hawkins, Inc. for the past 18 years. He loved his job and was exceptional at his job. Tunis loved being with his family, and loved listening to and watching Minnesota Twins baseball games, although he was happy to attend Kansas City Royals baseball games with his sons and family. TL also loved being with his coffee group to solve the world's problems when he was home from trucking. He enjoyed fishing, watching his grandkids' events, checking on his truck shed, leaving rambling voicemails for family and friends, and polishing the rims on his Freightliner. But his main passion was trucking. He also had a habit of picking lilacs and wildflowers on the side of the road to bring to Linda and his daughters-in-law. TL belonged to OOIDA, (Owner and Operators Independent Driver Association and the Rock Rapids American Legion.           TL is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda Jansma; sons, Doug (Crystal) of Sioux Falls, SD, Dale (Jill) Jansma of Rock Rapids, IA, Wade (Aily) Jansma of Grand Pairie, TX, and daughter-in-law, Kim Jansma of Valley Springs, SD; grandchildren, Emily and Chase of Valley Springs, SD and Dionne and Thane of Rock Rapids, IA; brothers, Jim (Barb) Jansma of Hudsonville, MI, Dennis (Sue) Jansma of Hull, IA, Carl (Judy) Jansma of Sioux Falls, SD, Floyd Jansma, Jr. of Hull, Mark Jansma of Omaha, NE, and Phillip Jansma of DesMoines; sisters, Ranae (Mike) Kooistra of Doon, IA and Darla (Kevin) Vaandrager of Sheldon, IA; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family members.           He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Anna Jansma; infant daughters, Shari Lynn and Julie Ann; and brother, Wally Lorne.