On Saturday, January 2, 2021, the Lord took home to Himself our dear father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, Gerrit (Gerry) Kuik. Thankful for a long and blessed life and looking forward to being with his Saviour, Gerry died after a brief illness at the age of 96.
Gerry will be lovingly remembered by his children Grietje Gortemaker, Davida Tuininga (Bruce), Henrietta Raap (Bill), Jake Kuik (Carolyn), Ben Kuik, and Anita Vanderveen (Allan); 40 grandchildren (and spouses); 95 great-grandchildren (and one spouse); sisters Jannie Toet and Jenny Raap, brother Jacob Kuik (Rita), sisters-in-law Ardis Kuik and Alice Kuik; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Johanna, daughter Fenny Kuik, son-in-law Bill Gortemaker, grandchildren Amy Gortemaker and Craig Vanderveen, parents Jakob and Grietje Kuik, infant sister Margje, infant brother Lambertus, sister Margje Meijer, brothers Jan, John, and Bert Kuik, and brothers-in-law Joe Van Dijk, Lefert Meijer, Len Toet, and Sy Raap.
Gerry was born in The Netherlands on September 5, 1924, the fourth of 10 children. After completing school there at the age of 14, he embarked on his printing career through a four-year apprentice program, working while he learned about the different facets of the printing trade. Through this trade he also became involved in the Dutch resistance movement by printing illegal (to the Germans) literature. After the war he worked for another printing company until July 1950 when he with Johanna his wife, whom he married on January 6, 1950, and his parents and siblings emigrated to Canada, settling in the Carman/Homewood area in Manitoba. After initially working on a farm, Gerry again got involved in the printing trade by working for the local Carman newspaper. Shortly after moving his family to Winnipeg in 1958, and with the encouragement and support of his former boss in Carman, he started his own printing business, Premier Printing, as a one-man, one-room shop in Transcona. With the Lord’s blessing, Premier Printing moved and expanded several times. In 1995, Gerry retired, turning the leadership of the company over to the next generation.
Gerry also was very active in his faith community, starting as a fieldman in Homewood, assisting many fellow Dutch immigrants to settle in the Carman area. He continued to serve for many years in various roles in the Reformed church and school communities. Travelling was a large part of his life as well, either personally or through business, and especially after his retirement. He and his wife took many road trips across Canada and the U.S.A., as well as overseas trips to Europe, the Middle East, and the southern continents.
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, only a private family viewing, funeral service, and interment will be possible, at which only some of the children can be present. Rev. J. Poppe of Redeemer Canadian Reformed Church will officiate at the service which will be held on Friday, January 8, at 2:00 p.m. Those who wish to may follow the service via livestream at https://boxcast.tv/view/gerry-kuik-funeral-service-923911. Interment will be at Green Acres Cemetery.
We express our deep gratitude to the management, staff, and caregivers at Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home for all the love and care they provided Gerry during the almost four years he lived there, and especially in the last week.
Donations in Gerry’s memory may be made to Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home, 1045 Concordia Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2K 3S7.
*********************************
In Remembrance of
Gerrit (Gerry) Kuik
September 5, 1924 – January 2, 2021
Order of service for the funeral of Gerrit (Gerry) Kuik
who was called home to be with the Lord on January 2, 2021
Redeemer Canadian Reformed Church Winnipeg, MB
Rev. Joe Poppe officiating - Organist: Allan Gortemaker
~ Pallbearers designated by Gerry Kuik ~
Dave Gortemaker* Jake Kuik, Bruce Tuininga, Ben Kuik, Bill Raap, Allan Vanderveen (* for his father)
~ Actual pallbearers due to COVID-19 restrictions ~
Grietje Gortemaker, Henrietta Raap, Allan Vanderveen, Ben Kuik, Anita Vanderveen, Green Acres attendant
Order of Service
Pastoral Foreword
Singing:
Psalm 115: 1,5 (standing)
1. No, not to us, O LORD, but to your name be all the glory. With our loud acclaim we honour and adore you. Your steadfast love and faithfulness we laud. Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” and in their pride ignore you?
5. O Israel, trust only in the LORD! Praise him, your help and shield, with one accord; his power will protect you. O house of Aaron, put in God your trust; all you who fear him, in the LORD find rest when woes and cares afflict you.
Prayer for God’s comfort
Singing: Psalm 68: 8,12 (standing)
8. Blest be the LORD, who on our way provides for us, and day by day upholds us by his power. God of Salvation is his name; this glorious name shall we proclaim. He is our shield and tower. Our God, the LORD, is strong to save from mortal danger, from the grave and every cruel oppression. But God will crush the heads of foes, the hairy crown of him who goes in ways of foul transgression.
12. Praise God and shout his glory forth, O kings and kingdoms of the earth! In joyful song adore him. Praise him who rides the ancient sky, who thunders forth his battle cry; let all bow down before him. Proclaim his power and spread his fame, for great in Israel is his name; his might is in the heavens. O awesome God, you from your throne with power and glory bless your own. To you all praise be given!
Scripture Reading: Psalm 16
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Singing: Psalm 25: 2,6
2. Show your paths to me, your servant, and direct me in your ways.
Lead me in your truth and teach me; guide and keep me all my days. LORD, I know your word is true, and with eager expectation all day long I hope in you as the God of my salvation..
6. Who, then, serves the LORD and fears him? God will guide him all his days, teaching him what path to follow, leading him in righteous ways.
Then will he know happiness, and his children God will favour: all the land they will possess as their heritage forever.
Address on Psalm 16: 8,11
8. I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
11.You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16: 1,3,4,5 (standing)
1. God, keep me safe! In you I put my trust. To you I said, “You are my faithful Saviour. LORD, with your presence I am richly blest. Apart from you I can expect no favour.” I love your saints; with them I am united, and in their midst my soul will be delighted..
3. You will maintain my happy lot, O LORD; the lines have fallen in most pleasant places. The heritage that you to me award is my delight, a gift that I hold precious. Your measuring-rod has blessed me with your favour, marked out a place to be enjoyed forever.
4. I praise the LORD and bless him all the day, for with his care and counsel he provides me; even at night my heart shows me the way. The LORD is near and he in safety guides me. I worship him in joyful adoration; none can deprive me of his preservation.
5. Therefore I will rejoice with heart and soul; my body rests secure in your protection. You will not leave me down in dark Sheol, nor let your Holy One there see corruption. Your presence gives me joy in fullest measures; your right hand brings me everlasting pleasures.
Closing Prayer
Singing: Hymn 64 (standing)
(Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 1)
1. What is in life and death my only aid, my comfort when I am by troubles swayed? I am not mine but Christ’s, who fully paid for all my sins and saved me. His precious blood for my offences gave he, freed me from all the devil’s power and slavery, for in the book of life God did engrave me, and me his own he made.
2. My faithful Saviour keeps me in his care; without my Father’s will cannot a hair fall from my head; he shall for me prepare a heavenly habitation. All things must serve to further my salvation. His Holy Spirit brings me consolation; he makes me willing now with dedication in hope his yoke to bear.
Order at the Graveside
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only-begotten Son, our Lord; he was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell. On the third day he arose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; I believe a holy catholic Christian church,
the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Lowering of the casket
Reading: John 11: 25–27
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
In Memoriam
Gerrit (Gerry) Kuik
September 5, 1924 – January 2, 2021
Gerry was born in The Netherlands on September 5, 1924, fourth child of 10. After completing school there at the age of 14, he started a four- year apprentice program, working while he learned about the different facets of the printing trade. When the war came, he became involved in the resistance movement by printing illegal (to the Germans) literature, such as an underground newspaper, and supplying food ration cards. Though imprisoned for several days he continued to work in the resistance movement to the end of the year. The stress and memories of the war, especially the loss of his older brother in a concentration camp, made a deep impression on him.
After the war he worked for another printing company until July 1950 when he with Johanna, whom he married on January 6, 1950, and his parents and siblings emigrated to Canada, settling in the Carman/Homewood area in Manitoba. After initially working on a farm, Gerry again got involved in the printing trade by working for the local Carman newspaper, the Dufferin Leader.
In August 1958 with five children Gerry and Johanna moved their
family to Winnipeg, so that their second oldest daughter Fenny could attend the Manitoba School for the Deaf. For a couple of years Gerry worked for Reliance Press, but then, with the encouragement and support of his former boss in Carman he started Premier Printing as a one-man, one-room shop in Transcona in 1962. With the Lord granting growth, Premier Printing moved three times, settling eventually in its present location on Beghin Avenue
in 1987. In 1995, Gerry retired, turning the leadership over to the next generation (a group of sons, sons-in-law, and nephews). He continued to be interested in what was going on at Premier even when three of his grandsons took over the leadership of the company.
Gerry also was very active in his faith community, starting as fieldman in Homewood, assisting many fellow Dutch immigrants to settle in the Carman area. He continued to serve for many years in various roles within the local and broader Reformed church and school communities.
Traveling was a large part of his life as well. Many kilometres were driven across Canada, for various purposes, followed later with many more into the USA for Premier School Agendas. Not all travel was “business” related and as such he was also blessed to be able to travel extensively with Johanna over the years, taking them across Canada and the USA, as well as overseas to Europe, the Middle East, and the southern continents, taking in the wonders of God’s creation. In his later years, especially while living on Bates Avenue, he spent many an hour every summer tending his flower beds. Gerry was also proud of his Dutch heritage and expressed it by having his homes trimmed with orange paint. Even Premier Printing to this day reflects that legacy by continuing to have orange as its prominent colour.
Shortly after the passing of his wife in April 2007, Gerry moved into
a condo. Losing some of his mobility due to nerve damage, he eventually became confined to a wheelchair and therefore moved unto an assisted living facility. When further assistance was required, he moved into Bethania Mennonite Personal Care Home where he remained in good health until a few days before his passing.
Thankful for a long and blessed life, and looking forward to being with his Saviour, Gerry died after a brief illness at the age of 96.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18