Maxine Kuipers

Maxine Kay (Sjaarda) Kuipers was born on July 14, 1942, to Albert and Alice Sjaarda. She grew up on a farm in Jamestown and graduated from Unity Christian. She went on to Calvin College to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Education. She was a life-long teacher - first in kindergarten at Byron Center Christian School, and then to her children and grandchildren, to many young people who worked in her gardens, and to various groups at Jamestown Christian Reformed Church. She saw God's almighty beauty and craftsmanship in everything around her, and she inspired others to appreciate it as well. Maxine loved to share that beauty and creativity with her family and her community – in her home through delicious meals, gardens, sewing, drawing, painting, singing, and crafts. She was always a hard worker, and while she helped manage the farm and properties, she also shared God's love with her husband, her family, and so many others throughout her life, serving in the church and supporting the lives and activities of her children and grandchildren. She died peacefully and passed into the glory of Heaven, with her Lord and Savior, on February 13, 2025, after living with frontotemporal dementia for many years. During that time, she continued to share her smile and quiet joy. She was lovingly cared for each day until her death by her husband, Garry, children, grandchildren, and friends, as well as the caregivers at Byron Manor and Faith Hospice. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Garry; four children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild: Dawn and Tim Hendriksen and their children, Drew and Abigail (Ezekiel), Sarah and Isaac Kremers, Justin Hendriksen and Brooklyn Oetman; DeeAnn and Dan Chaffee and their children, Matthew and Lance; David and Jennifer Kuipers and their children, Samuel and Sarah, Grace and Carter Grasman, Nathanael, Zachary, Jacob, and Asher; Daniel and Cynthia Kuipers and their children, Emma and Clara; family friend, Lisa Carter; a sister, Phyllis Pressey; two brothers, Gary and Sally Sjaarda, Elmer and Nancy Sjaarda; and sisters-in-law, Virginia Kuipers, Lois and Don Essenburg. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Friday, February 21, 2025 at Jamestown Christian Reformed Church, 1653 Riley St., Hudsonville with Pastor Chris Bouma officiating. Burial will take place at Jamestown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Thursday, February 20 from 6-8 pm at Jamestown Christian Reformed Church, and on Friday from 9-9:45 am prior to the service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Jamestown Christian Reformed Church. 

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