Eugene Charles Kuiken

Eugene Charles Kuiken, 87, was welcomed into heaven on July 5, 2026. "Gene" was born to Henry and Jennie (VanderMolen) Kuiken on June 2nd, 1939 in Lynden, Washington and lived all of his life in Whatcom County. Gene was born in an era when kids could still roam the streets of Lynden and the surrounding countryside freely. Consequently, he and his friends had many exciting adventures throughout their growing up years and he had stories to tell that were unending.

Gene began working at the young age of 10 as most kids did those days. He cut grass, delivered papers, stoked Mrs. Boerhave's Millinery shop's furnace on cold winter nights and other odd jobs. He attended Lynden schools and Skagit Valley College. He played the drums in band which led to several years of playing and marching with the Bellingham Drum and Bugle Corps. He also played basketball at Lynden High and Skagit Valley College.

Gene was a faithful provider for his family. He worked for Georgia-Pacific Pulp and Paper for 40 years. He rarely missed any time from work. He also worked on improving the family home and enjoyed helping others with their projects.

Gene's lifelong love of sports began at Lynden schools, which led to helping set up the youth sports programs at both Lynden and Meridian schools and remained involved for many years. He faithfully attended as many sporting events as possible that his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren participated in. He played basketball and baseball well into his '40s. He also enjoyed golf until he discovered his love of competitive horseshoe pitching, including participating in world horseshoe tournaments.

Gene was known far and wide for his immaculate vegetable garden. And boy did he bring home some beautiful salmon from the Nooksack River. Later in life he enjoyed playing the guitar while singing "You are My Sunshine" to his grand and great-grandchildren.

Gene met his wife, Sylvia (Lautenbach) at the Faith Reformed Church in Lynden where they were charter members and both sang in the choir for many years. Gene and Sylvia, along with their four children, and later grandchildren, shared in their love of music, camping and travel, and many family get-togethers. Gene was known for his famous camping breakfasts. They were always a feast. He loved his food!

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Jennie; brothers Robert and Henry; sisters Sadie, Alice, Dorothy and Joanne; brothers-in-law Lambert VanderKooi, Ben Coplin and Gerald Assink; parents-in-law, Ralph and Bertha Lautenbach; brother-in-law Terry Lautenbach; and sons-in-law David Woods and Paul Tuttle.

He is survived and greatly missed by his wife of 64 years, Sylvia (Lautenbach); daughters Kara Woods, Kelli (Garry) Priam, Kayla (Ed) Koopmans, and son Kenneth (Debbie) Kuiken; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren who love him very much! He is also survived by his brothers, Gerrit Kuiken, Dick and his wife, Judy Kuiken; his brother-in-law Jim and his wife Jan Lautenbach; and sister-in-law Tearesa and her husband Doug Sandberg; and numerous friends and relatives.

"He taught us everything we know!"

Please join family and friends for a memorial on Friday, July 31 at 12:00 noon at Victory Christian Fellowship, 300 7th Street in Lynden. Lunch will be served after the service. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@vcflynden

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Neptune Society.