Marianne Hoolsema Tolsma

Marianne Hoolsema Tolsma, 77, our mother, grandmother, aunt and dear friend passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024 to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a native Houstonian but lived in Knoxville, TN for the last year.

A graduate of Austin High School and Belhaven College, she taught elementary school before meeting her beloved husband of fifty years, Harold. From that point on, she poured herself into her family, her children’s schools, volunteer work and church. She was the ultimate encourager and prayer warrior and led with her ministry of presence. Her greatest gift was instilling a legacy of faith in her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, her parents, Rev. Thomas and Ruth Hoolsema, and her siblings, Tiemen and Marcia. She is survived by her children, John and wife Lee Ann Tolsma, Peter and wife Kay-Kay Tolsma, and Ann and husband Grant Bowman. She is also survived by five grandchildren, John Tolsma II, Ann Baker, Lee Belle, Anna Kate and Peter, as well as her beloved sister’s daughter, Mary Eckhardt.

Visitation will be held Sunday, January 14 at Forest Park Westheimer from 3:00-5:00pm. Services will be held Monday, January 15 at noon at Christ the King Presbyterian, 1201 Silber Road. A reception will follow afterwards. The family requests that memorials be made to Mimi’s Corner at the Webb School of Knoxville. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16.