Obituary

Remembering Tara Lynn Oskam

Tara Lynn Oskam, age 21, died way too soon on Saturday, March 11, 2017 and went to be with her Heavenly Father. We will miss her beautiful smile and her kind and gentle spirit. “You’ll always be our Tarabug.” She will be lovingly remembered by her parents, Rob and Deb Oskam; sisters, Katie and Mark Orr, Brittany and Nick Huerter, Carissa Oskam; nephew, Cole Huerter; boyfriend, Chad Beisel; grandparents, Larry and Janet Slager, Maria Oskam; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Hans Oskam. Memorial services will be held Thursday at 1 pm at First Byron Center Christian Reformed Church, 8541 Byron Center Ave. SW. Private graveside services will be held. Members of the family will receive relatives and friends at the Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Chapel (Kentwood), 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-9 pm. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to The Tara Oskam Scholarship Fund for Speech Pathology at Calvin College.

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March 31, 2017 10:27am

I really don't know who Tara is but I'm truly expressing the great sense of loss for the family to never give up and stay strong. Also, Americans as a whole are quickly losing beautiful children who shape up tomorrow. Kindly impose a vigilant and tight environment and, show zero tolerance towards guns and road accidents.

— #NAME?

March 16, 2017 7:50am

We are keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. May God give you the strength needed to carry on until the day you are reunited.

— Marty Knop

March 16, 2017 7:16am

Deb & Rob, Our hearts break for your loss of Tara in such a tragic way. May you be comforted knowing that she loved the Lord and was welcomed with open and loving arms in to heaven on Saturday night. As the days and weeks pass, you will be lifted up in prayer for comfort and peace...

— Marie & Eric Jansen

March 16, 2017 2:30am

Rob,Deb, and Family -- As all have said - I grieve deeply for your family, words can not express the great sadness. Hold tight to each other and your faith, as I know you will. Continued prayers and love!

— Kathy Bailey

March 15, 2017 5:52pm

Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. No words can express how sad we are for your loss.

— Dianne, Shannon & Austin Riley

March 15, 2017 5:00pm

Words can never convey the sadness we feel for all of you. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

— Joe and Dorothy Curtis

March 15, 2017 7:10am

So sorry to hear of the death of Tara. Although we didn't know her we had a wonderful relationship with her grand parents, Larry and Jan, and Deb. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Hugs from Cal and Ardy

— Cal and Ardy Den Besten

March 15, 2017 5:57am

As many on this page have expressed, my heart hurt for your family. I had the privilege of helping Tara with advising and registration. I pray for God’s presence and comforting hand be felt by all who loved her during this time of sorrow. Peace be with you.

— Dana Hebreard

March 15, 2017 5:20am

Oh, how our hearts ache for all of you. With much joy, we remember Tara as a babysitter, BSHOP leader, and a kind, gentle soul with a big smile! Though separated by many miles we are with you in spirit and prayer. Christ's peace to all of you.

— Eric, Lisa, Ashley, and Camron VanderHeide

March 15, 2017 4:54am

I didn't know Tara, but the Calvin Community is family, and I'm praying for comfort for you as you grieve the loss of your precious daughter. Kathy

— Kathy Bardolph

March 14, 2017 5:32pm

Dear Oskam Family, We were so grieved to hear of the tragic loss of your precious daughter. Our daughter is a sophomore at Calvin. We are missionaries in Mexico and our Mexican congregation has been praying for all of you. May you feel God's arms of comfort during this very difficult time. May God be your Shepherd and Counselor and Strong Tower of hope in the midst of your loss and pain. Praying for you. John and Tracey Pieters, Mexico

— Tracey (Moore) Pieters, Calvin '85

March 14, 2017 3:03pm

Dear Oskam family , our thoughts and prayers go with you. Psalm 23.

— Susan Peters & Jane Katerberg

March 14, 2017 11:25am

Dear Oskam Family, Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your loved one.

— Kris Collings

March 14, 2017 10:12am

Dear Oskam Family, You have our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. May your beautiful memories sustain and bring comfort to you during this difficult season. Losses like this can make us challenge our faith; however, this is precisely the time when our faith needs to be its strongest. I am praying that your faith will help you through this very difficult time. We are praying that your family will find the strength to get you through your grief and sadness. Sincerly, Deborah & Alexis Delk

— Deborah Delk

March 14, 2017 9:07am

Oskam family and those so close to Tara, My heart breaks for you all as a South Chr grad and Calvin College student during this time of overwhelming and sudden heartbreak. It was certainly much too soon - Tara was so loved by so many and I know her smile and kindness will live on. On behalf of the Calvin College program in Washington D.C., we send our sincere condolences and offer prayers of strength and peace during this difficult time.

— Ashley Zuverink

March 14, 2017 8:59am

Oskams, Please accept our condolences. Please find strength in each other, your family and friends during this difficult time. Know that you are in our thoughts. The Jekel Family

— Steve Jekel

March 14, 2017 8:43am

Thinking of you all and sending you LOVE from Massachusetts. Words fail, but I pray for God's love and guidance on your whole family. Tara touched many lives. Deepest sympathy to you all.

— Erin McCarthy

March 14, 2017 8:19am

Dear Oskam family, please know that our family is praying for yours (our twins are students at Calvin). This is truly a tragedy for all who knew her. Sincerely, Lynn VanPoolen-Larsen

— Lynn VanPoolen-Larsen

March 14, 2017 8:18am

Dear Oskam family, As is echoed by many on these pages, our hearts hurt for your family. Our prayer for you is that you feel God's presence during this time of deep grief and in the days ahead. Sincerely, Andrea and Michael Le Roy

— Michael and Andrea Le Roy

March 14, 2017 7:10am

Dear Oskam Family, Since hearing of your dear Tara, we have been praying for you here in Hungary. Our daughter is a sophomore at Calvin and we have been heartbroken for you since hearing the news. Tara was beautiful and sounded so talented and so full of love and kindness. We are so, so sorry. We will continue to pray, asking for the Lord Jesus to deeply and tenderly comfort and carry you.

— Nancy & Larry Milks

March 14, 2017 6:04am

Rob and family, We just heard the sad news about your daughter Tara. We are simply heartbroken for your family. May your strong faith and the loving memories of your beautiful girl help get you through the most difficult days ahead. Don and Patti Beery Saugatuck, Michigan

— Don and Patti Beery

March 14, 2017 6:03am

Words fall short to convey the magnitude of sympathy felt when such a sudden tragedy occurs. Praying your family is surrounded by love and peace as you mourn and will soon find joy in celebrating her life. -Amanda Luna-Bailey

— Amanda Luna-Bailey

March 14, 2017 5:54am

So sorry for the loss of Tara. My prayers and with the family.

— Theresa Jones

March 14, 2017 4:11am

Heaven has gained another angel this week. Her name was Tara. She touched more lives than her parents could have ever imagined. She was a bright, young, amazing woman with a bright future ahead of her, but God had other plans. He wanted to call Tara home too soon. My heart goes out to her whole entire family. Her grandparents and many friends in her church and school community. Life will never be the same here on earth without this bright young woman, but we know we will meet Tara in heaven one day and what a great day that will be. Now I would like to leave you with these verses of encouragement Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the past or the present, that nothing can separate us from the love of our Lord." Grace and peace, Love Bekki

— Bekki Landman

March 13, 2017 8:56pm

Dear Rob, Deb, Larry, Janet and family Our tears are flowing for all of you, we share in your pain. We have a loving Heavenly Father and we know Tara is enjoying her time with Him right now. We will keep you in our prayers The Bundrick family

— Les & Jan Bundrick family

March 13, 2017 7:24pm

I didn't know Tara, but this hits hard. Hold on tight to Jesus. She will be dearly loved by Jesus and missed by us greatly. </3 Much love, Bonni

— Bonni Kerr

March 13, 2017 7:24pm

We were heartbroken by the news of Tara's death. Although we live in far away San Diego, this hits very close to home. I am a South Christian grad (class of '80) who has maintained ties with some fellow alumni, including some at Hillside Church. Our twin sons are Calvin College juniors. They visit their Oma in Byron Center periodically and drive that same Broadmoor route often. They have some close friends who are as precious to them as Tara obviously was to so many. A former student of mine is a speech path major at Calvin. I can't imagine the agony of losing any of these beautiful young people. So many of us are aching with you . . . I pray that you will sense God's peace and that his people will surround you with love. Bill Stout

— Bill & Elsa Stout

March 13, 2017 6:30pm

I am deeply saddened by your loss, and praying for you all. God bless and keep you.

— Melinda Braddock

March 13, 2017 6:29pm

Dear Rob, Deb and Family, Tom e-mailed the news article to us today. So sorry to read of your great loss - a parent's worst nightmare. Our God is good - comfort and strength are promised and are given. You are in our prayers. Bob and Betty

— Betty and Bob Hough

March 13, 2017 6:07pm

Kate the Great, and the Oskam family, I am so sorry for your loss of Tara. I know that you are all very close, and will miss her tremendously. I do thank God that you will only be separated from Tara for a time while on earth, but will be with her for all of eternity in glory. My deepest sympathy, Kathleen Fisher (Edwards)

— Kathleen Edwards

March 13, 2017 5:48pm

Dear Oskam Family, What a privilege it was to teach that dear, sweet girl. Her ear for Spanish was really good, but it was her dedication to learn, her empathy and her love for others that made her a "compañera" that her Spanish classmates would be happy to have. I'm so sorry that you didn't have more time with her on this side of eternity, for she was a joy to be around. -Julie Versluys

— Julie Versluys

March 13, 2017 5:29pm

Oskams, We are heartbroken to hear about Tara's death. We can't imagine the pain you must be feeling at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you from North Carolina. "Our only comfort in life and in death is that we are not our own but belong to our faithful Savior Jesus Christ."

— Nate and Sarah Groelsema

March 13, 2017 5:17pm

My sincerest Christian sympathy to your family. I didn't know your daughter but I am a sister in Christ. Prayers for comfort and Gods arms to surround you in your grief.

— Joan Staal

March 13, 2017 5:00pm

My family sends our deepest sympathy to your family during this difficult time. Although we never had the chance to meet beautiful Tara we felt like we knew her thru my nephew Chad. We will continue to pray for your family and ask for comfort, healing, peace and strengh to surround you from our Heavenly Father.

— Holly Beisel Hodges

March 13, 2017 3:05pm

Desr Slager and Oskam familirs...Our hearts are breaking for you. We want to extend our sympathy to you...we 8are without words. Please be assured of our love and prayers for all of you.

— Ray and Barbara Bouma

March 13, 2017 2:57pm

Dear Oskam Family, So sorry for the sudden loss of your dear Tara. My words cannot begin to comfort the pain your entire family is feeling at this time of grief. I will pray for strength to get through the rough times ahead. (From Kristen's husband Jayson's mom). With Love Iris

— Iris shimmell

March 13, 2017 1:59pm

Rob and Deb, We are so thankful for the friendship that Kayla and Tara had together during their time at Calvin together. We always loved to hear Kayla talk of the fun times the girls had together. Tara was such a blessing to Kayla. We are praying for you in this time of loss. Romans 8:26 Grace and Peace, Rob and Tricia Bosma

— Rob and Tricia Bosma

March 13, 2017 1:46pm

My heart aches for your loss and I pray you find peace in the light Tara brought to your lives.

— Nikoma Lipka

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