Esther Pauline Bosscher

Esther Pauline Sullivan Bosscher

February 18, 1925 - April 20,2020

 Esther led an amazing and blessed life. She was born on a farm in Kent County, Michigan at a time when most births occurred at home. Her parents were Anna and Hobart Sullivan. The family moved north when horse and wagon were the means the family transported supplies to the family farm outside of Cedar Springs, Michigan. Esther graduated from Cedar Springs High School followed by Butterworth Hospital School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was a practicing Registered Nurse when she met Kenneth Henry Bosscher. The two were married in 1948 and settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan and raised five children.

Esther returned to nursing when her youngest child entered school. She became director of nursing at Springbrook Nursing Home and eventually the administrator. She and Ken moved to their cottage on the Platte River. Esther served as the administrator of the Benzie County Medical Facility in Frankfort, Michigan until her retirement.

A few years after her husband, Ken (d.2005), passed away Esther moved into Sunset Retirement Community where she was active in the Sunset community. Esther’s strong Christian faith guided her throughout her life. Family, cooking, knitting and quilting were her life-long passions.

Esther passed away peacefully and is now joyously reunited with her husband, Ken and son, Charles (d.1989,) as well as other family members and friends who preceded her in death. And, of course, she joins her Savior, Jesus.

Esther {Sully} Bosscher was the last surviving member of the Platte River gang of friends including the Brumels, Tiesmas, Huizingas, and Keminks. She loved the river, woods, fishing and group activities up in Beulah.

Missing her, yet rejoicing her transition are her children and their spouses:  Michael [Margaret] Bosscher, Susan [Scott] Kooistra, Mary [Lyle] Forcia, Scott [Jane] Bosscher; her grandchildren:  Brian [Jillane] Bosscher, Nathan [Nicky] Bosscher, Abigail [Anthony] Allen, Joshua [Connie] Kooistra, Jason [Heidi] Kooistra, Jared [Betsy] Kooistra, Jessica [Joel] Peterson, Justin Bosscher, Brandon [Gabrielle] Hirth, Christine [Lonny] Snow, Angela [Brent] Freed, Jamie Cooley [David Shaw], Lyle [Sonia] Forcia, Barry [Lauren] Forcia, Ryan [Stacey] Bosscher, James [Elizabeth] Bosscher, Christopher Bosscher; forty great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

A private memorial will be held for family members at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Esther’s name to Sunset Retirement Communities, Jenison, Michigan.