Luke Tanis

Luke lived life with the odometer running. He filled the early years with football and basketball games and track and field foot races, all which garnered friendships that lasted a lifetime. Later, he was alleged to have woven through traffic to pass friends in his 1970 Camaro. He eventually assumed the seat of “Miss Katie,” his father’s 1975 extended-hood Kenworth. Luke’s outrageous customizations brought the semi-truck to new heights, accumulating enough show trophies to fill a small room. One feature Luke kept, however, was the adage printed on the back: “Trust in Jesus.”

When Luke wasn’t behind a steering wheel, you could find him enjoying time with family, fishing on a lake with his brothers (arriving well past peak fishing hours), or planning the next family trip to Mackinac Island.

Love of family spurred him on in a hard-fought battle against cancer. “Hard” was the only way Luke ever fought anything. Friends and family witnessed a truck driver become a diligent student of cancer, dedicating himself to care pathways that demanded an inspiring degree of self-sacrifice. Yet in the end, the Lord called him home, there to be greeted among heaven’s host - an assembly surely led by Luke’s father, Mark Tanis, who preceded him in victory over death through Jesus Christ.

Luke leaves behind the pride and joys of his life: wife of 15 years, Erin; children Layne, Harper, Rylee, Maverick, and Cruz. Luke will also be lovingly remembered by his mother, Lori Lamers and husband, Randy; brothers and sisters-in-law Andrew (Kindra) Tanis, Zeb (Jacquelin) Tanis, Jon (Lauren) Tanis; parents-in-law Joe and Sandy Milazzo; brother-in-law, Ryan Ragland; grandmother, Shirley Tanis; and countless uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Luke was also preceded in death by father-in-law, Jim Ragland.

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 12-4 p.m. with service beginning at 4 p.m. at Hudsonville Reformed Church, 3950 Highland Dr., Hudsonville. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the family: http://spot.fund/w2ZGJM. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresgrandville.com.