Charlotte Tursky

Charlotte Ann Tursky (Yowaish), age 82, of Spring Lake, MI, formerly of Grand Rapids, died at the Poppen Hospice Residence on Monday, June 15, 2020. She was born January 13, 1938, in Grand Rapids, to the late John and Mary (Klimavicz) Yowaish. Char was originally from the West Side of Grand Rapids and graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1955. She went on to Mercy Central School of Nursing (Class of 1957) and became a registered nurse and worked in the healthcare system for most of her life: from the frontlines in ER, to teaching Nursing and later to managing healthcare systems. Char will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by family and friends for many things. She loved to dance and if she could coax you out onto the dance floor, she would have you doing the polka or learning how to waltz in no time. She was a fabulous cook and enjoyed throwing parties or just having her children's athletic teams/social groups or family and friends over for a bite to eat. She also had a love for shopping and ice-cream. When she was healthier, she would spend the winters in Tucson, AZ and her trips home in the spring could get very lengthy due to the frequent stops at Ross Stores and the Dairy Queen. Char loved to be near the water, so she moved to Spring Lake where many memories were made with family and friends. Survivors include her children, Bernie (Michelle) Tursky, Louise Schneider, Therese Burns and Martin (Mary) Tursky; beloved friend, Shelda Johnson; many special grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Beatrice Hamelink; and many nieces, nephews, and special friends. Char was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard D. Tursky Sr.; three brothers, Phillip, John, and William Yowaish; two sisters, Lorraine Kempen-Curte and Mary Alice Bancevich. Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make memorial contributions in her honor to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association. In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place and no funeral services will be held. Instead, a Celebration of Char's Life will take place at a later date when more people can attend. She may be gone from our sight, but she will live on deeply in our hearts: Like a never-ending song of comfort and happiness, we will always remember the tune. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charlotte Tursky, please visit our flower store.