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.
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17