Louis Kuiper

Louis Kuiper, age 96, of Sioux Center , IA passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Sioux Center Health in Sioux Center, IA. A private family graveside will take place Thursday morning at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center, IA. Public visitation will be Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Memorial Funeral Home in Sioux Center from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Due to Covid-19 precautions, family will not be present for the visitation. On December 16, 2020 Louis Kuiper of Sioux Center, Iowa was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior. He was 96 years old. Memorials may be directed to Friendly Horizons. Louis (Lou) was a kind and gentle man. He was self-taught, an avid reader, a fierce competitor in every game he played and able to fix or build anything under the sun. Lou loved his wife, Katherine. She passed away in 2013 after a long battle with cancer. He lovingly cared for her in their home until she passed away. He carried her worn highschool photo in his wallet until the day he died. Lou also loved his kids and grandkids. He and Kathy had three children: La Donna (married to Norm Cleveringa) from rural Rock Valley, Kevin (married to Garn Altena) from Sioux Falls, and Sandi (married to Dan Altena) from Sioux Center. Together they have many great grandchildren and 15 grandchildren: Chris, Ryan, Darin and Ross Cleveringa; Alanda Koenen; Teissa Green; Paige Vanden Bosch; Lucas Kuiper; Dusty, Mic, Mark, Som and Kaida Altena, Niki Woockman and Jaime Van Kley. Lou lived a rich and meaningful life. He farmed by Sanborn and Melvin before accepting a job as the Maintenance Director at Dordt College. He worked there from 1962 until his retirement. He loved his job and the students that worked for him. Many of them remember him today. Lou enjoyed golfing and fishing as a younger man. He and Kathy family-vacationed every year at Lake Cormorant, Minnesota. The family fished in the morning for Northern, Bluegill in the afternoon and played highly-competitive Rook at night. During their retirement years, the couple bowled together at Holiday Lanes and golfed in their bright red golf cart. As they aged, they shifted to Wii bowling and golf, and played Dominos, Sequence, Hand and Foot, Canasta, Phase Ten, Rummikub, Uno, and, of course, Rook. Their kids and grandkids seldom won. After Kathy "my beautiful wife" passed away, Lou also enjoyed spending time with his many nieces and nephews sharing stories from the past over lunch in Sheldon. He also enjoyed playing games with his friends Grace Droog, Kathleen Altena and Marty Dekkinga. Lou was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center and attended faithfully until he moved from his home in Sioux Center. Lou lived in his own home until May, 2019 when he moved to the Christian Retirement Home in Sheldon. The summer of 2020 he moved again, this time to Friendly Horizons in Sioux Center. He was living there when Covid 19 took his life. He will be missed and remembered as a kind and gentle soul by all who knew him. He was a good man, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He loved Jesus and is enjoying eternity today. He will be missed but never forgotten!