Duane
Duane Kuiper
Duane S. Kuiper of Otsego, Michigan passed away Wednesday, October 17, 2012 in Kalamazoo. Duane was born February 3, 1934 in Ferrysburg, Michigan to John and Grace (Ruiter) Kuiper. In 1951 he graduated from West Michigan Christian High School and in 1960 he graduated from Western Michigan University. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Duane and Pam together with Eugene Zelmanski were the owners and operators of the Lighthouse Restaurant in Otsego from 1975 to 1990. He initiated the concept, helped design and organized the founding of Prairiewood Golf Course. He enjoyed playing ping pong with grandson Tyler, fishing and golfing.
On June 30, 1972 in Otsego he married Pamela S. Hutchinson, who survives. Also surviving are 7 children, Cindy (Andrew) Parenteau of Elk, Washington, Mark (Peg) Kuiper of Cooper, Robert (Trish) Kuiper of Vicksburg, Karen Kuiper of Otsego, Matt Kuiper of Vicksburg, Michael (Angelique) Kuiper of Otsego, Doug (Katie) Kuiper of Troy; 14 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; 1 sister Nancy VandenBosch of Spring Lake. He was preceded in death by a brother Jack Kuiper and 2 sisters Sally Swartz and Doris Wezeman.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 23, 2012, at 11:00 am at the First Congregational Church of Otsego, Pastor Jason Zimmer and Pastor Don Boss officiating. Private burial will be at Mountain Home Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Duane may be made to Rose Arbor Hospice or North Point Church or First Congregational Church.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Duane Kuiper
Condolence Messages
Jacquie (King) Fillmore
October 18, 2012 at 9:06 am
Pam, so sorry to hear of your loss. Duane was a great guy. I know you will miss him. You are in my prayers.
Reply
Katie Neslund
October 18, 2012 at 10:42 am
Mark and Peggy:
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know your dad was a great guy and my mom thought the world of him. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Lots of love to you both and your family.
Reply
Russ and Pat Miner
October 18, 2012 at 11:11 am
We are so sorry for your loss. We are happy that Mark was able to spend many days with his Dad this year fishing and enjoying each other, These memories will last forever. We know that he was not able to regain his health and with pain and suffering he is now relieved of that and in a better place. His loving family was certainly a comfort to him. Our Love
Pat & Russ
Reply
Lauri Seibert-Krueger
October 19, 2012 at 4:51 am
Pammy, Michael and family…..
I adored Duane. Some of the best times ive had as a working gal were the 4 years I worked for him and your family at The Lighthouse! He had a such a quiet sweetness about him. my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Reply
Tim & Judy Gates Hayes
October 19, 2012 at 10:37 am
Mark & Peggy
So sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Treasure the memories of your father and keep them close to your heart and he will be with you forever.
Reply
Raymon & Joyce Shattuck
October 19, 2012 at 4:42 pm
We are sorry hear about the passing of your Father..Our thought and Prays are with you all,.Love all of you alllways The Shattuck Family
Reply
Lauri Rantz Stone
October 19, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Each and everyone of you are in my heart, thoughts and prayers. I am very proud to have called him family and a friend. He was a gentle giant with a huge heart.
May each of you find comfort in your love for him, the memories you have created, that will last forever.
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die”.
God Bless each and everyone one of you….
I love you with all my heart…
Lauri
Reply
Susan Kuiper VanHeukelem
October 20, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Dear Aunt Pam and Cousins,
My deepest condolences on your loss of Uncle Duane. My parents have been gone for quite awhile and sometimes I still cry buy mostly I smile when I remember all the wonderful years of their love. My prayer is that you too will be able to laugh and find comfort in your remembered love and relief from you loneliness and sorrow.
Best wishes from Colorado,
Susan
Reply
Dean and Joyce Sheldon
October 21, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Pam and family:
We’re thinking about you and wishing you courage to help see you through day by day–and hoping your memories will warm your heart always and bring you comfort. We’re so glad we got to be together for awhile this summer. Duane will be greatly missed.
Many Hugs!
Reply
Karen Shattuck-Young
October 22, 2012 at 8:38 pm
To Cindy, Mark, Robert, Karen, Matt and the Kuiper family. I am sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Your in my thoughts and prayers and may heavenly father put his loving arms around you. I know we go way back yrs. ago. What great childhood memories I have of you all when you lived on F Ave. Cooper township. I remember your dad being so tall. He remined me of the Matt Dillion on gun smoke. I thought he look like him. Thats what I thought of your dad as a child. I called him the gun smoke man. God bless you all. Love and peace always
Reply
Tom & Nancy Fleming
October 23, 2012 at 9:11 am
Our sincere sympathy to the family
Reply
John and Becky Halloran
October 23, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Pam and Family, Duane will be missed by more people then you all will know. Loved being neighbors with you both for all these years. John still remembers Duane asking him why he put up the fence over by his shop and he told him so you two wouldn’t have to see his mess, Duane came back with ” Now I can’t see what your up too over there.” Loved it when my dog brought home your rubber door mat that said “WELCOME” Did he every come back and tell you “Thank you” We still have it! You two were the BEST PEOPLE to have around so don’t be afraid to ask us if you need something we will be right here for you., any time NIGHT or DAY….. Memories are good to have so remember and keep them close now and always.
Reply
Diane (Mayville) Strickfaden
October 24, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Dearest Pam & family, I am sincerely sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. Luke 11:36
Reply
Bryon and Kandy Campbell
October 27, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Pam and Family – we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Duane was such a kind man and I enjoyed being in his Sunday school class at First Congregational Church. He will be greatly missed. May God bless each one of you during this time.
Reply
Bob & Roberta Miles
November 4, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Sorry to hear of the passing of Duane. I remember Duane on the tractor many, many hours clearing the land for the golf course. Everytime I saw him I thanked him for having the vision to have a golf course in my back yard. We were out of town and missed the funeral.
Reply
Harold Steffey
November 25, 2012 at 1:47 am
Iam so sorry for your loss.
Reply
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On June 30, 1972 in Otsego he married Pamela S. Hutchinson, who survives. Also surviving are 7 children, Cindy (Andrew) Parenteau of Elk, Washington, Mark (Peg) Kuiper of Cooper, Robert (Trish) Kuiper of Vicksburg, Karen Kuiper of Otsego, Matt Kuiper of Vicksburg, Michael (Angelique) Kuiper of Otsego, Doug (Katie) Kuiper of Troy; 14 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; 1 sister Nancy VandenBosch of Spring Lake. He was preceded in death by a brother Jack Kuiper and 2 sisters Sally Swartz and Doris Wezeman.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 23, 2012, at 11:00 am at the First Congregational Church of Otsego, Pastor Jason Zimmer and Pastor Don Boss officiating. Private burial will be at Mountain Home Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Duane may be made to Rose Arbor Hospice or North Point Church or First Congregational Church.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Duane Kuiper
Condolence Messages
Jacquie (King) Fillmore
October 18, 2012 at 9:06 am
Pam, so sorry to hear of your loss. Duane was a great guy. I know you will miss him. You are in my prayers.
Reply
Katie Neslund
October 18, 2012 at 10:42 am
Mark and Peggy:
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know your dad was a great guy and my mom thought the world of him. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Lots of love to you both and your family.
Reply
Russ and Pat Miner
October 18, 2012 at 11:11 am
We are so sorry for your loss. We are happy that Mark was able to spend many days with his Dad this year fishing and enjoying each other, These memories will last forever. We know that he was not able to regain his health and with pain and suffering he is now relieved of that and in a better place. His loving family was certainly a comfort to him. Our Love
Pat & Russ
Reply
Lauri Seibert-Krueger
October 19, 2012 at 4:51 am
Pammy, Michael and family…..
I adored Duane. Some of the best times ive had as a working gal were the 4 years I worked for him and your family at The Lighthouse! He had a such a quiet sweetness about him. my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Reply
Tim & Judy Gates Hayes
October 19, 2012 at 10:37 am
Mark & Peggy
So sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Treasure the memories of your father and keep them close to your heart and he will be with you forever.
Reply
Raymon & Joyce Shattuck
October 19, 2012 at 4:42 pm
We are sorry hear about the passing of your Father..Our thought and Prays are with you all,.Love all of you alllways The Shattuck Family
Reply
Lauri Rantz Stone
October 19, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Each and everyone of you are in my heart, thoughts and prayers. I am very proud to have called him family and a friend. He was a gentle giant with a huge heart.
May each of you find comfort in your love for him, the memories you have created, that will last forever.
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die”.
God Bless each and everyone one of you….
I love you with all my heart…
Lauri
Reply
Susan Kuiper VanHeukelem
October 20, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Dear Aunt Pam and Cousins,
My deepest condolences on your loss of Uncle Duane. My parents have been gone for quite awhile and sometimes I still cry buy mostly I smile when I remember all the wonderful years of their love. My prayer is that you too will be able to laugh and find comfort in your remembered love and relief from you loneliness and sorrow.
Best wishes from Colorado,
Susan
Reply
Dean and Joyce Sheldon
October 21, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Pam and family:
We’re thinking about you and wishing you courage to help see you through day by day–and hoping your memories will warm your heart always and bring you comfort. We’re so glad we got to be together for awhile this summer. Duane will be greatly missed.
Many Hugs!
Reply
Karen Shattuck-Young
October 22, 2012 at 8:38 pm
To Cindy, Mark, Robert, Karen, Matt and the Kuiper family. I am sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Your in my thoughts and prayers and may heavenly father put his loving arms around you. I know we go way back yrs. ago. What great childhood memories I have of you all when you lived on F Ave. Cooper township. I remember your dad being so tall. He remined me of the Matt Dillion on gun smoke. I thought he look like him. Thats what I thought of your dad as a child. I called him the gun smoke man. God bless you all. Love and peace always
Reply
Tom & Nancy Fleming
October 23, 2012 at 9:11 am
Our sincere sympathy to the family
Reply
John and Becky Halloran
October 23, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Pam and Family, Duane will be missed by more people then you all will know. Loved being neighbors with you both for all these years. John still remembers Duane asking him why he put up the fence over by his shop and he told him so you two wouldn’t have to see his mess, Duane came back with ” Now I can’t see what your up too over there.” Loved it when my dog brought home your rubber door mat that said “WELCOME” Did he every come back and tell you “Thank you” We still have it! You two were the BEST PEOPLE to have around so don’t be afraid to ask us if you need something we will be right here for you., any time NIGHT or DAY….. Memories are good to have so remember and keep them close now and always.
Reply
Diane (Mayville) Strickfaden
October 24, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Dearest Pam & family, I am sincerely sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. Luke 11:36
Reply
Bryon and Kandy Campbell
October 27, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Pam and Family – we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Duane was such a kind man and I enjoyed being in his Sunday school class at First Congregational Church. He will be greatly missed. May God bless each one of you during this time.
Reply
Bob & Roberta Miles
November 4, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Sorry to hear of the passing of Duane. I remember Duane on the tractor many, many hours clearing the land for the golf course. Everytime I saw him I thanked him for having the vision to have a golf course in my back yard. We were out of town and missed the funeral.
Reply
Harold Steffey
November 25, 2012 at 1:47 am
Iam so sorry for your loss.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
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