Kenneth R. Kuipers Sr., age 66, of Lancaster went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 13, 2009.  Born in Paterson, NJ, he was the son of the late William E. and Ruth Ritter Kuipers.  Longtime resident of Bergen County, NJ, Ken graduated from Fair Lawn High School in 1960, after which he graduated from CCNY.  Married to Elaine Geruldsen Kuipers in 1963, they celebrated 45 wonderful years together on December 7, 2008.

Kenneth was a retired bakery owner, pastry chef, and chocolatier.  He was a 32nd Degree Mason who belonged to the Manheim Lodge #587, Free and Accepted Masons; Lodge of Perfection, Valley of Reading; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Consistory, and Tall Cedars.

Besides his wife, Ken is survived by two children, Deborah and Kenneth Jr., both of Richmond, VA; brother William E. Kuipers Jr. and wife Amanda, of Wellington, FL; and former sister-in-law, Irene Habernickel, of Mahwah, NJ.  He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews and their families, all of whom held a special place in his heart, as well as his buddy Brutus, companion and service dog.

Services will be held at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA on Sunday, January 18, 2009 beginning at 3:00PM. Relatives and friends may pay their respects to the family from 2:00-3:00PM.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kenneth's memory to New Life Assistance Dogs, Jill Harris, 1901 Olde Homestead Lane,P.O. Box 10485, Lancaster, PA 17605-0485. To send online condolences, please visit www.snyderfuneralhome.com