Betty Jean Kuiper

Throughout her years, Betty Kuiper lived a life that was deeply rooted in her unwavering faith and her love for family.

On March 4, 1922, Henry and Cora (Dykstra) VanEerden were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Elizabeth Jean. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she was one of seven children, raised alongside her siblings, Lambert, Ethel, Geraldine “Babe,” Albert, Bud, and Lois in the family home on Donald Place. Betty attended Baxter Christian School and later Davis Tech, and as a teen she won a yo-yo contest. In addition, she enjoyed swimming and bowling and played both softball and volleyball. Betty’s father owned VanErden Tin Shop on Wealthy Street.

New and exciting changes were in store for Betty when she met the young man of her dreams. His name was James William Kuiper. They were married on August 29, 1941, at Hope Protestant Reformed Church. They started their married life in a small house on Airway N.E., and later moved to Buffalo Street. Together Betty and Jim were blessed with five boys: Jim, Bob, Steve, Tom, and Ken. As a family they enjoyed vacations to Wolf Lake, Big Star Lake, and the Wisconsin Dells, and they later had a cottage on Brady Lake called “7 K’s Cottage.”

Betty was a busy homemaker. Once her children were older, she worked as a sales clerk at JC Penney, and she remained there for over 20 years. As a family they were members of Hope Protestant Reformed Church and Creston Protestant Reformed Church. Later in life Betty was a member of Seventh Reformed Church and Walker United Reformed Church.

In everything she did she was a strong and faithful Christian who read her Bible and prayed for her family daily. Betty remained active for as long as she could,playing church league softball, going for daily walks, and being with and caring for her grandchildren. When relaxing Betty loved reading Christian novels, and watching classics on television like I Love Lucy and Little House on the Prairie.

Betty is remembered by her family as a godly woman, always willing to share her faith with all those she met. She was a humble Christian thankful for the abundance of God's grace given her throughout her life.

Elizabeth Jean “Betty” Kuiper (vanEerden), aged 94 of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at the Christian Rest Home. She was preceded in death by her husband, James William Kuiper in 2003. She is survived by her children, Jim (Cookie) Kuiper, Bob (Marj) Kuiper, Steve (Sandi) Kuiper, Tom (Donna) Kuiper, Ken (Betty) Kuiper; her 12 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren; her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Bea VanEerden, Ann Kuiper, Paul (Ruth) Kuiper, Ruth Oleneck; many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family. Betty was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and a friend to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. The family would like to thank the staff of the Christian Rest Home for the love and care extended to Betty and her family these past years. A service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held on Tuesday August 23, 2016 at 11:00 am at Walker United Reformed Church, 1941 Randall Ave. NW. Burial in Maplewood Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – 851 Leonard St. NW on Monday from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 pm and again at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 am until the service begins at 11:00 am. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Christian Rest Home Foundation. To read more about Betty’s life, to leave your own memory of her and to sign her guest book, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com