BURLINGTON, WA - Arthur Kuiper passed away at Skagit Valley Senior Village in Burlington Washington on May 19, 2013. He loved and served his Lord and Savior from the time he was a child until the day he died. Being a Christian was at the core of his family life, his work and his love for the church. Art was born on April 21, 1924, son of Frank and Bertha Kuiper in Racine. When he was 4 months old his mother died in a house fire. His father later remarried and Art spent his childhood growing up on the family farm. In August 1947 he married Helena Greenfield. Together they had six children. Art and Helena purchased the family farm and it was a happy home for them and their children. They eventually sold the farm in Racine and moved northeast to Waupun where they purchased and rebuilt another dairy. Art later retired from farming and moved to town. He continued a small business, visiting farmers across the Wisconsin area, working on breeding lines and herd improvement. Although Art enjoyed his work, he and Helena missed living near their children and when Art was age 75, they started over, packing up their belongings and moving across the country to Mount Vernon, Washington. Where they built a new home and made new friends. They enjoyed several years of watching basketball and soccer games and being involved in the lives of their children and grandchildren. Art was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome and fought the disease for more than ten years. Art Kuiper is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helena; his children, Barbara and Jerry Van Vliet of Mount Vernon, WA; Bev and Mike Mulder of Prinsburg, MN; Jeanne and Henry Annema of Sedro Woolley, WA; and Arthur E. Kuiper and Robyn of O'Fallon, MO, fourteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his infant son Frank, his daughter, Donna, his mother, father and step-mother as well as his brother and four sisters. A graveside service will be held at Graceland Cemetery on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Michael Kooy officiating. Please meet at cemetery entrance. A time of fellowship with the family will follow the service. Memorials can be made to Mount Vernon Christian School, 820 W Blackburn Rd, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. Sturino Funeral Home 3014 Northwestern Ave. Racine, WI 53404 (262) 632-4479 www.sturinofuneralhome.com