Henry Warren Kuiper

Henry Warren Kuiper, 89 was welcomed home by his Lord and Saviour on May 30, 2023. He passed away peacefully in the presence of family at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham, WA.  

Henry was born on Sept. 20, 1933, in Grand Rapids, MI, to Rev. Henry and Winnie (De Vries) Kuiper. In 1953, he met Gertrude “Trudy” Syens in Randolph, WI and shortly after enlisted to serve in the US Army. Henry and Trudy were married on Sept. 10, 1954; they lived in various states – Missouri, Wisconsin, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan and Washington – where they raised their nine children.

Henry was preceded in death by his wife Trudy in 2011. He was also preceded by his parents and parents-in-law, siblings Hulda Kuiper and Dale Kuiper, brothers-in-law Gerald Feenstra, Pete Nobel, Eldon Syens and Delbert Syens and great-grandson Nolan Bruinsma. 

Henry is survived by his children: Henry Kuiper of West Paducah, KY; Wanda (Keith) Bruinsma of Lynwood, IL; Barbara Kuiper of Nederland, CO; Daniel Kuiper of Lynden, WA; Judith (Henry) Buiter of Sumas, WA; Christine (Paul) Kenner of Blaine, WA; Karla Zandstra and fiancé Duane Elsbree of Lynden, WA; Dolores Kuiper of Bellingham, WA; Mary Flint of Lynden, WA; 21 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by siblings Celia Feenstra, Ruth Nobel and Harlow (Judy) Kuiper, all from the Grand Rapids, MI area; sisters-in-law Velerie Kuiper of Grand Rapids, MI and Julie Syens of Port Orange, FL and brother-in-law Ron (Linda Dice) Syens of South Billings, MT, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and longtime family friend Gen Lubbers of Grand Rapids, MI.

Dad served as a corporal in the US Army and went on to attend Wisconsin State College and Colorado State University where he earned his master’s degree. Dad had numerous occupations, including residential construction, teaching and real estate sales.  

Dad tried out many methods of supplementing our family income – learning about new ventures including: husky and coon hound breeding/showing, encyclopedia sales, emu farming and more. Everything he tried was done with drive and passion, and he passed on to us all a good work ethic.

Our parents sacrificed so much for us, especially for our Christian education.  We couldn’t take fancy vacations, but we had Colorado mountainside picnics every Saturday night and many fun-filled activities on our hobby farm on Horseshoe Lake. It was a place where we all worked hard, taking care of animals and raising our own vegetables and played hard.  We always had room at the Sunday dinner table for a visiting family from church, with more than enough food to share.  

Dad enjoyed hunting, fishing, grilling, refereeing baseball, playing ice hockey, ping pong, softball and horseshoes and usually winning a spirited game of Rook. He loved sharing music: Psalters, hymns and other music were always a part of our home.  We cherish all the songs that we learned as youth and have been singing frequently throughout the years, especially comforting during our parents’ passings.  Dad directed and sang in his church choir and male quartets, and also shared his love of God glorifying music by leading informal singing groups at elder care homes for many years.

Dad’s poetry reciting was renowned.  He would share with anyone he encountered – in his neighborhood, at work or the grocery store, at elder care facilities, and always with us kids. He loved to spontaneously share one of his favorite poetry selections in his deep baritone voice – the tones rising and falling with just the right cadence and inflection to reel in his listener.

Most important in life to Dad was his faith – he loved the Lord with all his heart. Church attendance and Bible study were very important to Dad and daily devotions at meals were part of the fabric of our life.  His faith was unwavering and he desired salvation for all his children and grandchildren. We will always be grateful for the Christian home we were raised in.

While we are saddened to no longer have our dad and grandpa with us here on earth, we rejoice in his assurance and confession that his only comfort in life and death is: “That I am not my own, but belong —  body and soul, in life and in death — to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ…” We look forward to the day we are reunited with both our parents at the feet of Jesus.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Lighthouse Mission Ministries or Whatcom Hospice Foundation.

Visitation will be held on June 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Gillies Funeral Home. A family graveside service on June 7 will immediately precede the memorial service to be held at Lynden Protestant Reformed Church at 11 a.m. Arrangements are by Gillies Funeral Home of Lynden.