GeorgAnne Talsma, 65, of Newton, passed away Feb. 11, 2026, surrounded by her family after a short hospital stay in Des Moines. A memorial service was held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Newton Christian Reformed Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in GeorgAnne’s name to Des Moines Christian School or Hope Ministries Bethel Mission in Des Moines. Interment was in Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton.
GeorgAnne was born Sept. 23, 1960, in Newton to George and Joann Hallstrom. GeorgAnne grew up on a farm outside of Newton. She was a self-described tomboy who loved running around outdoors, playing with and nurturing animals, riding horses, and trying to keep up with her brother and his friends. Horses were a big part of GeorgAnne’s life. Her family raised several quarter horses throughout the years. She and her mother showed horses competitively for many years throughout central Iowa. In high school, GeorgAnne was involved in cheerleading, honor society, and D.E.C.A. She was crowned homecoming queen and graduated at the top of her class.
During her senior year of high school, GeorgAnne met William Talsma one day as he delivered horse feed to the family farm. It was GeorgAnne who opened the door that day. As he returned to the co-op, he announced he had just met the girl he would marry someday. Shortly after, Bill and GeorgAnne started dating. They had so much fun zooming around in Bill’s Z28, slalom skiing several nights a week, and hanging out with lots of friends, including Bill’s brother Dave and his future wife Kathi.
Bill and GeorgAnne married Feb. 29, 1980, at First United Methodist Church in Newton. They were blessed with two daughters, Lindsey and Stacey, and shared 44 years of marriage, building a life centered on faith, family, and farming.
GeorgAnne earned her bachelor’s degree in business from Upper Iowa University and later received her MBA from the University of Iowa. She worked for many years at Maytag, serving as director of procurement. After Whirlpool purchased Maytag in 2007, GeorgAnne transitioned to working as the family farms’ office manager for several years.
Faith and service were central to GeorgAnne’s life. She was a member of Newton Christian Reformed Church and Newton Church of the Way. She regularly volunteered at Hope Ministries and Discover Hope and served meals at Bethel Mission. She also served on the board of Progress Industries in Newton and on the school boards for Newton Christian School and Pella Christian High School.
GeorgAnne had a tender love for people who were overlooked, in need, or had special needs. She always made a point to notice those others might miss, providing them with a smile, words of encouragement, one of her big hugs, and, of course, introducing herself and asking for their name. GeorgAnne believed in striving to live a life centered on what she referred to as the “5 Ps”: Patience, Passion, Positivity, Perseverance, and Prayer.
When others think of GeorgAnne, they undoubtedly think of her smile, charm, generosity, warmth, wonderful sense of humor, and quick wit that brought joy to those around her. Nothing made GeorgAnne happier than spending time with her daughters and their families. Her love for her family was steadfast and true.
GeorgAnne is lovingly survived by her mother Joann Hallstrom; William Talsma; her daughters Lindsey (Joel) Bosch and Stacey (Harley) Gorter; her five grandchildren Henry, Oliver, and George Gorter, and Vera and Etta Bosch; her brother David (Brenda) Hallstrom; her mother-in-law Bertha Talsma; her brothers-in-law Dave (Kathi) Talsma, Tom Talsma, Mike (Becky) Talsma, Steve (June) Talsma, and Doug Talsma; her sisters-in-law Pat Callahan and Barb (Mark) Arkema; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father George Hallstrom; her father-in-law Jim Talsma; and her brother-in-law Tim Callahan.
GeorgAnne will be remembered for her deep faith, generous heart, steadfast love for her family, and the joy and laughter she brought into the lives of so many.
