Harriet L. Kuiken

Obituary

Harriet Leora (DeJong) Kuiken was born on July 19, 1925, in Orange City, Iowa. She was the daughter of John and Hattie (VanRooyen) DeJong. Harriet was baptized as an infant and later became a member of Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City.  She received her education in Orange City and graduated from Northwestern Classical Academy  Class of 1943.  She furthered her education at Northwestern Teacher’s College. 

On November 19, 1946, Harriet was united in marriage to Orville Arnold Kuiken at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City. This marriage was blessed with three children, Phyllis, Donna and Paul. Harriet and Orville resided in Everly, Alton, and Sioux Center, Iowa, and in 1960 moved to Hutchinson, Minnesota.  Harriet and Orville shared 69 years of marriage until Orville passed away on January 11, 2016.

Harriet was a teacher in several rural schools in Iowa.  Harriet also worked for Citizens Bank and Trust in Hutchinson as a teller.  Harriet was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church and was very active in church work, teaching Sunday school, Release Time and leading Women’s Bible Studies. 

Harriet enjoyed being busy.  She loved crocheting, reading, cooking and baking.  Harriet and Orville spent nearly 20 years wintering in Arizona.   She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Harriet passed away on Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Ecumen Seasons in Apple Valley, Minnesota, at the age of 92 years.  She will be dearly missed. 

Harriet is survived by her:
Children, Phyllis Hahn of South St. Paul, MN,
                  Donna Givens and her husband, Hans of Jordan, MN,
                  Paul Kuiken and his wife, Beth of Aitkin, MN;
Grandchildren, Jennifer Gerber and her husband, Lane of Cottage Grove, MN,
                             Brian Hahn and his fiancee, Amanda of Inver Grove Heights, MN,
                             Lindsey Maas and her husband, John of Rosemount, MN,
                             Maria Givens of Jordan, MN,
                             Adam Kuiken and his wife, Debbie of Warren, MN,
                             Tyler Kuiken of Ely, MN,
                             Jenna Kuiken of Bloomington, MN;
Great-Grandchildren, Alexis and Mya Gerber, Brenna and Max Maas, and Eithan and Izaac Valenzuela;
Sisters-In-Law, Goldie Colenbrander, Edith Kuiken, Wilma Ruisch and Wanda Kuiken;
Nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.

Harriet is preceded in death by:  Parents, John and Hattie DeJong; Husband, Orville Kuiken; Brothers, Bud (Eunice) DeJong and Lloyd (Bernice) DeJong; Sisters, Jeane (Bergie) Vanderberg and Margaret (Marvin) VanderWel.