Judson Michael Wiersema

Judson Michael “Mike” Wiersema passed away peacefully at home in Sylmar, CA with family at his side on August 10, 2021. He was born on April 20, 1949 to Judson Henry Wiersema and Elaine (Essenburg) Wiersema in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The family moved throughout his childhood due to his dad’s job so Mike ended up going to many different schools before graduating high school from Brookfield East in Brookfield, WI. He was active throughout those years with sports, choir and as lead singer in a garage band. He always said those experiences helped him hone his communication and people skills which served him brilliantly in his daily life and in his career. Following high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin where he met the love of his life, Cheri, and he graduated in 1971 with a Sociology/Psychology degree.

Mike launched his career in the travel business with 10 years at AAA World Wide Travel in Madison, WI which eventually took him to Houston, TX. He ended his career with 15 years at Viking Cruises in CA where he was Vice President of Sales. He was proud and honored to work for this exceptional company that gave him countless travel opportunities to all the corners of the globe. He always said the greatest joy of selling these cruises was “making people’s dreams come true.” His personal dream trip was to go to Antarctica, as that was the only continent he had not yet seen.

Mike’s loss will be felt deeply through all of the many lives he touched with his charisma, unforgettable humor, gift of communication and negotiation, and genuine friendship. He will be remembered as a proud American. He will also be remembered for his quick wit, his dance moves, harmonizing skills, passion for football and his beloved Green Bay Packers, and a few might remember him for his “Cinderella Story” (i.e. the sisty uglers, etc.) He loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. To his wife, Cheri, and daughters, Tara and Brooke, he will be missed as their mentor, their leader, their entertainer, their problem solver and the love of their lives. He was incredibly proud of his “girls” and all three of them will miss their biggest fan. To his grandchildren, nieces and nephews, he will be missed for all of the love, laughter, giggles and fun he brought to their lives. To his son-in-law, he will be missed for his words of wisdom, experience and listening ear. He was often described by others as “one of a kind” and to those who loved him, no one can ever take the place of this incredibly special man.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Cheri (Decker), by his daughters, Tara and Brooke (Iain Sharpe), by his grandchildren, Eva Jane Marsden, Liam Andrew Sharpe and Gavin Michael Sharpe. He is also survived by two brothers, Greg Wiersema (Claudia) and Mitch Wiersema (Diane). Mike will live forever in our hearts.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Mike’s name to Donate Life America, www.donatelife.net or a charity of your choice.