Leon Kuyper, previously from San Francisco, California, passed away on Monday, September 9, 2024, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was 73 years old.

Leon Kuyper was born on the family farm near Aurora Center, South Dakota, on June 22, 1951, to Loyd and Leona (VanDenhoek) Kuyper. He graduated from Stickney High School in 1969 as valedictorian of his class.

After graduating, Leon pursued higher education and earned a double Bachelor's Degree in Government and English from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota. Following college, he started working in civil service. In the late 1970s, Leon relocated to San Francisco, where he worked for the Social Security Administration in the benefits department for twenty years before his retirement. After 50 years of living in California, Leon moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to be closer to his family.

Leon cherished the sunny weather of California and had a passion for collecting coins.

He is survived by his sisters, Audrey Vangenderen and Doris Herbst, his brother, Kevin (Patti) Kuyper, and many nieces and nephews.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents, Loyd and Leona Kuyper, his sister, Sharon Baird, and his lifelong partner, LeRoy.