Leonard John Kuiper, age 92, loving father of three and adoring husband to LaVina (Peterson) Kuiper, passed away on December 10, 2022, surrounded by family.
Leonard was born on October 27, 1930, in Beacon, Iowa to Ralph and Hattie (Langstraat) Kuiper.
He grew up in the Pella area spending much of his time working on the family farm and Van Gorp Hatchery.
He started his career as a salesman selling Watkins, which took him to St. Louis, Springfield, and Sioux City and landing in Des Moines, Iowa.
There, he became involved in the 1st Church of the Nazarene, where he saw a lovely lady singing in the choir, LaVina. They were married June 5th, 1959, in Des Moines, Iowa.
They lived in the Des Moines area, where he continued to work as a salesman selling Jewel Tea. He also worked at Industrial Towel and Iowa Power and Light (MidAmerican Energy), where he retired from in 1987.
He could never give up going door-to-door, so in 1974, he started his award-winning career of selling Avon, which he did until he was 88.
They moved to Norwalk, Iowa in 1970 where they raised their three children.
The family loved going on vacation in their camper that Leonard converted from an old panel van known as "Shasta".
Leonard's Christian faith was an essential part of his life. He was passionate about people and his favorite role was being a greeter and usher. He attended the Open Bible Church in Pella, 1st Church of the Nazarene in Des Moines, and New Hope Assembly of God in Urbandale.
Some of his favorite joys were going hunting and working in the garden.
He was always ready to capture the next memory with camera in hand and could never pass up a southern gospel concert with a steel guitar.
Most of all, he loved playing games and spending time with his family.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who know him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Tena and Robert Frederick; and his son-in-law, Derek Cozad.
The family will greet friends Thursday, December 15, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 16th at New Hope Assembly of God Church, 4425 70th Street in Urbandale.
Memorial contributions may be directed to New Hope Assembly of God Church in loving memory of Leonard.
As Leonard would always say, "Laat het vliegen," which is Dutch for let it fly.
Leonard was born on October 27, 1930, in Beacon, Iowa to Ralph and Hattie (Langstraat) Kuiper.
He grew up in the Pella area spending much of his time working on the family farm and Van Gorp Hatchery.
He started his career as a salesman selling Watkins, which took him to St. Louis, Springfield, and Sioux City and landing in Des Moines, Iowa.
There, he became involved in the 1st Church of the Nazarene, where he saw a lovely lady singing in the choir, LaVina. They were married June 5th, 1959, in Des Moines, Iowa.
They lived in the Des Moines area, where he continued to work as a salesman selling Jewel Tea. He also worked at Industrial Towel and Iowa Power and Light (MidAmerican Energy), where he retired from in 1987.
He could never give up going door-to-door, so in 1974, he started his award-winning career of selling Avon, which he did until he was 88.
They moved to Norwalk, Iowa in 1970 where they raised their three children.
The family loved going on vacation in their camper that Leonard converted from an old panel van known as "Shasta".
Leonard's Christian faith was an essential part of his life. He was passionate about people and his favorite role was being a greeter and usher. He attended the Open Bible Church in Pella, 1st Church of the Nazarene in Des Moines, and New Hope Assembly of God in Urbandale.
Some of his favorite joys were going hunting and working in the garden.
He was always ready to capture the next memory with camera in hand and could never pass up a southern gospel concert with a steel guitar.
Most of all, he loved playing games and spending time with his family.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who know him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Tena and Robert Frederick; and his son-in-law, Derek Cozad.
The family will greet friends Thursday, December 15, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 16th at New Hope Assembly of God Church, 4425 70th Street in Urbandale.
Memorial contributions may be directed to New Hope Assembly of God Church in loving memory of Leonard.
As Leonard would always say, "Laat het vliegen," which is Dutch for let it fly.
Leonard John Kuiper, age 92, loving father of three and adoring husband to LaVina (Peterson) Kuiper, passed away on December 10, 2022, surrounded by family.
Leonard was born on October 27, 1930, in Beacon, Iowa to Ralph and Hattie (Langstraat) Kuiper.
He grew up in the Pella area spending much of his time working on the family farm and Van Gorp Hatchery.
He started his career as a salesman selling Watkins, which took him to St. Louis, Springfield, and Sioux City and landing in Des Moines, Iowa.
There, he became involved in the 1st Church of the Nazarene, where he saw a lovely lady singing in the choir, LaVina. They were married June 5th, 1959, in Des Moines, Iowa.
They lived in the Des Moines area, where he continued to work as a salesman selling Jewel Tea. He also worked at Industrial Towel and Iowa Power and Light (MidAmerican Energy), where he retired from in 1987.
He could never give up going door-to-door, so in 1974, he started his award-winning career of selling Avon, which he did until he was 88.
They moved to Norwalk, Iowa in 1970 where they raised their three children.
The family loved going on vacation in their camper that Leonard converted from an old panel van known as "Shasta".
Leonard's Christian faith was an essential part of his life. He was passionate about people and his favorite role was being a greeter and usher. He attended the Open Bible Church in Pella, 1st Church of the Nazarene in Des Moines, and New Hope Assembly of God in Urbandale.
Some of his favorite joys were going hunting and working in the garden.
He was always ready to capture the next memory with camera in hand and could never pass up a southern gospel concert with a steel guitar.
Most of all, he loved playing games and spending time with his family.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who know him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Tena and Robert Frederick; and his son-in-law, Derek Cozad.
The family will greet friends Thursday, December 15, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 16th at New Hope Assembly of God Church, 4425 70th Street in Urbandale.
Memorial contributions may be directed to New Hope Assembly of God Church in loving memory of Leonard.
As Leonard would always say, "Laat het vliegen," which is Dutch for let it fly.
Leonard was born on October 27, 1930, in Beacon, Iowa to Ralph and Hattie (Langstraat) Kuiper.
He grew up in the Pella area spending much of his time working on the family farm and Van Gorp Hatchery.
He started his career as a salesman selling Watkins, which took him to St. Louis, Springfield, and Sioux City and landing in Des Moines, Iowa.
There, he became involved in the 1st Church of the Nazarene, where he saw a lovely lady singing in the choir, LaVina. They were married June 5th, 1959, in Des Moines, Iowa.
They lived in the Des Moines area, where he continued to work as a salesman selling Jewel Tea. He also worked at Industrial Towel and Iowa Power and Light (MidAmerican Energy), where he retired from in 1987.
He could never give up going door-to-door, so in 1974, he started his award-winning career of selling Avon, which he did until he was 88.
They moved to Norwalk, Iowa in 1970 where they raised their three children.
The family loved going on vacation in their camper that Leonard converted from an old panel van known as "Shasta".
Leonard's Christian faith was an essential part of his life. He was passionate about people and his favorite role was being a greeter and usher. He attended the Open Bible Church in Pella, 1st Church of the Nazarene in Des Moines, and New Hope Assembly of God in Urbandale.
Some of his favorite joys were going hunting and working in the garden.
He was always ready to capture the next memory with camera in hand and could never pass up a southern gospel concert with a steel guitar.
Most of all, he loved playing games and spending time with his family.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who know him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Tena and Robert Frederick; and his son-in-law, Derek Cozad.
The family will greet friends Thursday, December 15, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 16th at New Hope Assembly of God Church, 4425 70th Street in Urbandale.
Memorial contributions may be directed to New Hope Assembly of God Church in loving memory of Leonard.
As Leonard would always say, "Laat het vliegen," which is Dutch for let it fly.
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