February 15, 1936 – January 26, 2021

Funeral services for Marion Kuipers, 84, Platte, S.D., were held Monday, February 1, 2021, 10:30 a.m., at the Platte Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Drew Hoekema officiating. Interment was in the Old Platte Cemetery.

Music was provided by organist Harriett Sybesma, with special music, Well Done, by Selah Kuipers and Joseph Kuipers. Congregational hymns were Near To The Heart of God, Softly And Tenderly, It Is Well, and How Great Thou Art.

Ushers were Greg Kuipers, Jim Kuipers and Ken Overweg.

Casketbearers were Levi Kuipers, Jarett Kuipers, Joseph Kuipers, Luanna Kuipers, Anthony Hansum, and Ian Kuipers.

Honorary casketbearers Jaime Kenny, Nathan Kuipers, Liam Kuipers, Ella Kuipers, Selah Kuipers, and Gentre Kuipers.

Marion Kuipers was born in a snowstorm on the Kuipers farm to Albert and Dena (Meyerink) Kuipers on February 15, 1936, the 9th of 10 children.

He attended Old Platte Country School and Brill Country School until 8th grade, graduating from Platte High School in 1953. After graduation, he continued farming with his dad. In the winters, Marion traveled to find temporary work and worked in both Chicago at a steel company, and for a carpenter in Michigan. While in Michigan in January of 1963, he met Marie Norman and the two were united in marriage on July 26, 1963. To this union, three sons were born.

Marion farmed on the original Kuipers’ homestead his whole life, raising crops and beef cattle, and working alongside his brother Gerald. Shared cattle working days were always a highlight for him. Marion also served on the Platte Township Board for many years.

Marion was a baptized and confessing member of the Platte Christian Reformed Church where he attended Young Men’s Society, served as an usher, deacon, and elder. Throughout the years he helped with building the gym at Platte Christian School, helped build the new CRC church building and volunteered at Dakota Christian School. He worked hard to provide Christ-centered education for his family.

In 2002, Marion and Marie retired and moved to town. In these golden years, he enjoyed helping Mike on the farm, playing cards at Senior Citizens, having coffee with friends, volunteering in Rehoboth, N.M., making stocking caps for needy children and helping build thousands of toy cars for boys and girls in impoverished countries. For over 25 years, Marion distributed Scriptures with Gideons International and was passionate about going into schools and placing Bibles into kids’ hands.

On January 26, 2021, Marion peacefully entered the presence of his Lord at the age of 84 years and 11-1/2 months.

Those left to continue his legacy include his wife, Marie of Platte;  three sons, Michael (Kristina) and their children (Joseph and Luanna) of Platte; Myron (Jenny) of Geelong, Victoria, Australia and their children (Jaime and Luke Kenny, Nathan, Liam and Ella); Marvin (Kendra) of Edgerton, Minn., and their children (Levi, Jarett, Selah and Gentre); siblings: Lloyd (Virginia) Kuipers, Gerald (Vonnie) Kuipers; in-laws: Joann Kuipers, Metta Hendricks, Sidney and Jan Norman, Jack and Linda Norman, and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Preceding him to Glory include his parents, Albert and Dena Kuipers, in-laws, Jacob and Alice Norman; siblings: Henry and Betty Kuipers, Harm and Bertha Kuipers, Allis and Marion Hansum, Nina Kuipers, Adeline Kuipers, George Kuipers, infant sister, Bertha Kuipers; and brother-in-law, Harlan Hendricks.