The Funeral Service for Mary Elizabeth Kuyper of
Chisago City
,
MN
, formerly of
Albert Lea
, will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 22, at the First Presbyterian Church in Albert Lea.
The Reverend Dwight Netzer will officiate.
Interment will be in
Graceland
Cemetery
.
Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church.
Bonnerup Funeral Service is assisting the family
with arrangements.
Mary Elizabeth died peacefully on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at the Gathering Hospice in
Oak Park Heights
,
Minnesota
.
Mary Elizabeth was born on March 23, 1918, in
Omaha
,
Nebraska
the daughter of Albert A. and Helen M. (Dorn) Smith. As a young woman, she aspired to be a minister’s wife and met Gilbert Kuyper while he was in the Seminary in
Omaha
. On October 26, 1941, they were married and they served in ministry together in
Tekamah
,
Nebraska
,
Algona
,
Iowa
,
St. Paul
,
MN
, St. James, MN, Superior, WI and
Kasson
,
MN
. They retired to
Albert Lea
, where they were active in the First Presbyterian Church.
Throughout her ministry she will be remembered as an accomplished pianist and soprano soloist.
Her beloved Gilbert died in 1995, and in 1997 Mary Elizabeth moved to
Chisago City
,
MN
. She will be greatly missed by her son John David Kuyper, daughter
Rena Benedict ; grandchildren: Lance (Ame) Kuyper, Jason (Heather) Kuyper and sons Logan and Colby, Gretchen (Dan) Fitzpatrick
and their son Bear, Tricia Alexander Gesierich
and her children Albert and Autumn,
Jeremy (Naomi Farabee) of
St. Paul, MN and other relatives and friends.
Waiting to welcome her home are her parents, her husband Rev. Gilbert
Kuyper, daughter Helen Evans and brother Richard Smith.
