Rena Cuper

A greatly loved wife, mother and grandmother was born into eternity as she entered her Savior’s Promised Home on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 just nine days before her 100th birthday.

Rena was born into life on September 17, 1910 in Green Lake County, the sixth of eight children born to Andrew and Elisabeth (De Haan) Tamminga, who had immigrated the previous year from Ternaard, Friesland in the Netherlands. She was united in marriage on October 15, 1929 to Sydney H. Cupery in Randolph. Rena lived her entire life in the Randolph and Waupun area. She loved and faithfully served her Lord as a devoted homemaker, helpful neighbor and active participant in the ministry of the Friesland Reformed Church. Since moving to Waupun twenty years ago, she became a member of the First Reformed Church of Waupun, sharing in its work and worship. Rena was a loving and generous mother and grandmother, giving liberally from her God-given talents of sewing, quilting, baking and care giving. She was a vital and significant praying part of her family’s life until she joined her heavenly family.

Rena is survived by her four children, Rev. Harold (Verna) Cupery, Kalamazoo, MI; Betty (George) Posthuma, Waupun; Donna Vander Velde, Waupun; and Mary Lynn (Bill) Voelz, Cleveland, TN and two daughters-in-law, Marge Cupery, Randolph, and Doris Kok, of Fox Lake. Rena is also survived by seventeen grandchildren, thirty-seven great-grandchildren and thirty-five great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Minnie Tobak, Waupun and Margaret Cupery, Randolph; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1978, a son, Donald; a daughter, Patricia Kok, a great-granddaughter, Heidi Noel Katsma, a great-great-granddaughter, Sarah Abel; two sons-in-law, Byron Kok and Harris Vander Velde; two brothers, John and Peter Tamminga, and four sisters; Bessie Vander Galien, Lucy Aalsma, Gertrude Brandsma and Johanna Huizinga.

A service to celebrate Rena’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at First Reformed Church, 422 West Franklin Street, Waupun, with Pastors Harold Cupery and Dennis Cupery officiating. Burial will be the Friesland Cemetery.

Rena’s family will receive relatives and friends at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service.

A memorial fund has been established in Rena’s name.
“The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff
of Asera Care Hospice and Golden Living Center - Continental Manor in Randolph
for the wonderful compassionate care given to their mother in her last years and days.”