Larry Boerman

Larry Boerman, age 90, went home to heaven on March 20, 2026, with his beloved wife Joanne by his side—just as she had been for nearly 70 years.

Larry’s life was centered on the people he loved most. He leaves behind his children: Beverly Boerman; Paul (Joy) Boerman; Judith (Ross) Pursifull; and Janeen (Gary) Lemke. He was a proud and playful grandpa to Shasta Boerman; Andrew, Amy, and David Boerman; Ross, Robert, and Paul Pursifull; and a delighted great-grandpa to Grace, Isla, Calvin, Remy, Charlotte, and Macklin—a namesake born just days before his passing, a quiet and beautiful reminder that Larry’s legacy will carry on for generations.

Larry didn’t need many words to show how he felt. Those who knew him best understood that his love ran deep, steady, and strong—expressed through his presence and the way he showed up for his family year after year. He also had a playful, slightly mischievous sense of humor that his family will always cherish.

Larry was born in Fremont, Michigan, to Martin and Janet Boerman. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ivan. He is survived by his sister, Luanne (Don) Gogolin, and sister-in-law, Becky Boerman.

Larry and Joanne’s love story began at Fremont High School and grew into a 69-year marriage marked by deep devotion and partnership. Together, they embraced the joys and challenges of raising a family, rarely spending a day apart over seven decades.

After graduating from Ferris University as a pharmacist, Larry worked at White & White Pharmacy in Grand Rapids, where he helped grow the business through dedication, an exceptional work ethic, and unwavering integrity. Following a corporate buyout, he began a new chapter—applying his business acumen to success in the financial markets and real estate development. He later co-owned a Hallmark store with his daughter Janeen and often joked that selling Beanie Babies was more fun than counting pills.

Some of Larry’s happiest memories were made in Harbor Springs, Michigan, where he and Joanne built a home and a life filled with simple joys. Summers meant boat rides on Little Traverse Bay, with Larry happily at the helm, sharing the beauty of the water with anyone lucky enough to join. “Poppa” was in his element teaching his grandchildren to fish, swim off their boat, Summer Love, and ski the hills at Nub’s Nob. Always ready for a challenge, Larry took up alpine skiing at age 70 and spent the next decade carving his way down the slopes. He also enjoyed athletic competition, especially tennis and golf, and was a devoted University of Michigan basketball and football fan. Go Blue!

Winters often found Larry and Joanne on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, soaking in the coastal sunsets they loved so much. Whether in Michigan or South Carolina, Larry always knew where to find the best ice cream—he never met a flavor he didn’t like.

In 2025, they moved to Dearborn, Michigan, to be closer to family, continuing to build their lives around the people they loved most. Larry’s faith was a quiet but steady foundation throughout his life, and he was passionate about Christian education. Even as dementia progressed, he could still be found in church this past Thanksgiving, singing hymns from memory—words that never left his heart.

If there’s one phrase that will forever echo in the lives he touched, it’s this: “Keep smiling.” Larry ended his calls and messages that way—a simple sign-off that somehow said everything about how he lived.

So today, in honor of Larry—stay positive, and keep smiling.

A celebration of his life will be held in Harbor Springs, Michigan, at a later date. Those wishing to make a donation in Larry’s honor are invited to consider Thorne Swift Nature Preserve in northern Michigan or First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs.