Kuiper, Dena M. Mrs. Ed 1935-2011

KUIPER, VANIPEREN, VANOORT

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 10/19/2011 at 05:50:05

Dena M Kuiper
BORN: February 13, 1935, Matlock, Iowa
PASSED AWAY: October 15, 2011, Sheldon, Iowa
SERVICE: October 22, 2011
East Lawn Cemetery ~ Sheldon, Iowa
Arrangements: Vander Ploeg Funeral Home of Sheldon
Dena Mae Kuiper, daughter of Henry and Nellie (Van Iperen) VanOort, was born on a farm near Matlock on February 13, 1935. She received her early education in country school and graduated from George High School in 1952. She graduated from Northwestern Junior College in 1954 and taught elementary school in Rock Valley from 1954-1957.
On June 5, 1957, she was united in marriage to Ed Kuiper of Hull at the Matlock Reformed Church. They lived in Canton from 1957-1963. They have farmed near Matlock for nearly 50 years. Dena was an active member of the Matlock Reformed Church, teaching Sunday School, leading the children's choir and working with the Ladies' Circle and later, as a member of Sheldon First Reformed Church. She loved music, baking, sports (especially tennis!) and took great pride in attending her grandchildren's activities. Her grandchildren will always cherish Grandma's smile, words of encouragement, prayers, and wonderful cooking and baking. Ed and Dena wintered in Mesa, AZ for 21 years, where Dena enjoyed spending time with friends on the tennis court and singing with the Broadway Chapel Choir.
Dena passed away at the age of 76 after fighting cholangiocarcinoma cancer for 7 months. She is greatly loved by her husband of over 54 years, Ed Kuiper; her four children, Lyle (Tami) Kuiper, Sheldon, Linda (Darryl) Punt, Noblesville, IN, Deb (Dr. Steve) Locker, Orange City, and Pamela (Bill) Flom, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI; 12 grandchildren, Trevor, Justin and Joe Kuiper, Tyler (Laura), Tanner and Trent Punt, Joshua, Daniel and Jessica Locker, Emily, Christy and Elizabeth Flom; brothers, Rev. Sylvester (Lily) Van Oort, Oacoma, SD, and Rev. Glenn (Eileen) Van Oort, Averill Park, NY; sisters, Daloris Rensink, Sheldon, IA and Lois (Bob) Falk, Rochester, MN; sister-in-laws, Josie Van Oort, Denver, CO, JoEllen Van Oort, Teaneck, NJ, Alvina Davelaar, Doon, IA, and Marge Warner, Sheldon, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Nellie Van Oort; brothers, Rev. Harold Van Oort and Jean Van Oort and brother-in-law, Henry Rensink.
Source: Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, Sheldon, Ia., obit.