Tomasita “Tommie” Talsma, 82, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at the Springfield Assisted Living Center, leaving behind a life marked by love, resilience, and quiet grace. A Celebration of Life service honoring Tommie’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at the Springfield Community Bible Church with visitation beginning at 10 AM and service at 11 AM. Burial is in the Pioneer Cemetery, rural Avon. Friends and family are invited to gather, share stories, and celebrate the beautiful legacy she leaves behind.

Tommie was born on November 30, 1943, in Marfa, Texas, and lived a life defined by hard work, devotion, and deep family roots. She was a truck driver and a farmer, roles she embraced with strength and determination. She was a loving wife and mother and she and her husband Pete shared many joyful trips, especially by motorcycle, over their 56 years of marriage. In her later years, she treasured her winters in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she spent time with her daughter Christine.

Tommie was known for her wit, her sass, her infectious laugh, and her humble spirit. She carried herself with a beauty that came from both inside and out, always recognizable by her red lipstick and her signature red bow hair clip. She never met a stranger she didn’t like—she was always the first to say hello, and she loved striking up conversations about her beloved South Dakota, especially while wintering in New Mexico.

She was a very talented seamstress, creating pieces with care and skill. She loved baking, especially her homemade breads and donuts. She made homemade tortillas for her son Ray when he came home from school, cooking them downstairs in the basement so they were hot and ready the moment he walked in. She also loved having warm, fresh bread waiting for her grandson Kenny after school, a simple act of love that became a cherished family memory. She took pride in her cooking, even making fresh salsa for a local pub in Avon, a testament to how much people loved her food. She was also known for her delicious homemade tacos that everyone looked forward to.

In quieter moments, she could often be found working through the most difficult Sudoku puzzles, a pastime she truly enjoyed.

Tommie is survived by her children, Christine Legarda (Erick) and Ray Talsma (Kim); her grandchildren, Kenny Talsma (Theresa) and Candi Zahradka; and her great-grandchildren: Angel, Peter, Tessa, and Annie Talsma, and Britton, Braylee, and Briella Knowles who affectionately called her Granny. She is also survived by her sisters, Mellie Benavidez and Mary Ann Garcia, and by many loving nieces and nephews who cherished her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband and best friend, Pete Talsma; her parents, Estanislao and Enriqueta Jacquez; her sisters: Viola Virag, Eva Jacquez, and Elva Jacquez; and her precious nephew Matthew Virag and nieces Lisa Benavidez and Nancy Garcia.