Funeral services for Cornelia Marie Tjeerdsma, 90, are 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 24 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. The service will be live streamed on the Emmanuel Reformed Church, Springfield, SD Youtube page. Burial will follow in the Emmanuel Reformed Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Wednesday, September 23. Peters Funeral Chapel in Springfield is in charge of arrangements. 

Cornelia Marie Tjeerdsma was born April 27, 1936, on a farm southwest of Platte, the daughter of Gerrit and Susie (Tillema) Boltjes. She died Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall. Cornelia attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Platte High School in 1954. She then attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, where she earned her teaching degree. Cornelia taught in rural schools in the Platte area for three years. 

On March 14, 1958, Cornelia married James Tjeerdsma at the Christian Reformed Church in Platte. Together they farmed south of Avon and raised their four children. After Joel went off to college she worked for three seasons at Gurney's Seed and Nursery, 13 years at the Avon Leather Factory, and 15 years at the Springfield Assisted Living Center, retiring in 2016.

Cornelia was a long time member of the Emmanuel Reformed Church where she taught Sunday school and Catechism and was active in Willing Workers. 

Cornelia's greatest memories and joys in life centered around her faith and family. She loved having her grandchildren come to stay at the farm. She supported following them in all of their sporting activities and was very proud of their accomplishments. Cornelia will be remembered for her love of embroidering towels and everyone who received one loved them. She also enjoyed putting puzzles together; baking her famous apple pies and playing hymns on the piano. Cornelia cherished her years with her friends and staff at North Point in Tyndall and the Assisted Living Center in Springfield. She also enjoyed Bingo every week and her coffee ladies from Avon. 

Thankful for having shared her life are her children: Kevin (Charlene) Tjeerdsma of Avon, Susan (Randy) Cahoy of Mitchell, Shelly (Alan) Miller of Mitchell, Joel (Deb) Tjeerdsma of Rogers, MN; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren: Tyler (Courtney) Tjeerdsma and their children Zayden, Kinley, and Casen, Shanda Cahoy, Chelsea Cahoy, Justin Cahoy, Tara (Chris) Gubbrud and their children Myles and Lenyx, Jordan (Rachel) Miller and their children Maddox, Calvin, Nya, and Charlie, Jade Miller, Macy (Steven) Stanage and their daughter Sophia, Adri (Alec) Hills and their daughter Annie, and Ethan Tjeerdsma; sister, Alice VanZee of Platte, and two brothers: Robert (Barb) Boltjes of Platte, and Rod (Marge) Boltjes of Platte. 

Cornelia was preceded in death by her husband James, her parents, as well as two brothers: Clarence (Elaine) Boltjes, and Percy (Bernice) Boltjes; and brother-in-law, Alfred VanZee.