Tracy "Runia" Kuipers

TRACY KUIPERS, age 101, of Worthington, died Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the Sanford Hospice Centennial Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD. She was born September 6, 1924, in Osceola County, IA, to Tunis and Nellie (Faber) Runia. She attended country school in Wilson Township, IA. Tracy graduated from Bigelow High School in 1942 and was the last survivor of her class. She attended Westmar College, in Le Mars, IA, receiving her Normal Teaching Degree. She taught country school at Viola School for two years and worked as a nurse's aid for two years.
Tracy married Peter Kuipers on May 27, 1947 in Bigelow. The couple farmed northeast of Rushmore and later in the Reading area before building on their acreage northwest of Worthington in 1977. They retired in 1981.
She was a member of the American Reformed Church in Worthington; and served on various boards and was a Red Cross blood donor. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, knitting and traveling.
Tracy is survived by her three children, Kenneth (JoBeth) Kuipers, Hamburg, PA; Kathleen (Veryl) Altman, Sioux Falls, SD; and Marvin (Vickie) Kuipers, Bigelow; four grandchildren, Jason (Rose Snoozy) Altman, Amy Kuipers, Kristin (Devon Dandurand) Altman and Chad (Douglas Baird) Kuipers; two great-grandchildren, Haylie Altman and Benton Edward Matson; two sisters, Sylvia Andringa, Sanborn, IA; and Gertrude (Eugene) Abels, Sibley, IA; and a sister-in-law, Marjorie Runia, Brookings, SD.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Peter in October of 2004; two brothers, John and Peter (Joann) Runia; and three sisters, Jennie (Carl) Postma, Anna (John) Bialas and Josie (Alvin) Vogel.

Visitation will be from 11 am to 12:45 pm Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington. Graveside service will be 1 pm Saturday at the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Worthington.