Gary J Kuiper

Gary James Kuiper, the son of Carl and Esther (Douma) Kuiper, was born February 26, 1946 in Sheldon, Iowa. After graduating from Sheldon High School in 1964, he attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, graduating in 1968. He received his Master’s Degree in elementary education from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri in the summer of 1972.

Gary married Marlis Ann Van Veldhuizen on August 1, 1969 in Hull, Iowa. Following their marriage, they made their home in Spencer, Iowa. They welcomed two children into their lives: Jeff and Jill.

Gary taught middle school math for one year in Fort Dodge, Iowa and for 36 years in Spencer. He really enjoyed teaching at the middle school level. Following his retirement from teaching, he worked part-time at Menards, Warner Funeral Home and as a courier for Physicians Lab.

Gary was an active member of Hope Reformed Church, serving on the church board and singing in the choir. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling, playing cards with friends and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He and his friend Dick built a cabin on Big Cormorant Lake in Minnesota where the family spent many fun summers.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Jane; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Everett and Frances Van Veldhuizen; his sister-in-law, Jan Honold; and brothers-in-law, Frank Honold and Lee Ver Mulm.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Marlis; one son, Jeff Kuiper of Wilmington, NC; one daughter, Jill Langlois and her husband, Doug of Lutz, Florida; three grandchildren: Keryk Kuiper, Dylan Gellett and Amelia Langlois; one sister, Peggy Kuiper of Rochester, MN; two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law: Hazel Ver Mulm, Dale and Katie Van Veldhuizen and Wayne and Connie Van Veldhuizen; other relatives and many friends.

Memorials can be directed to Hope Church, Spencer Regional Healthcare Foundation, Spencer Family YMCA or the Alzheimer’s Association.

To view the service livestream please visit:

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