Obituaries for April 14, 2016

Arlene Kuipers

REHOBOTH, N.M. – Funeral services for Arlene Kuipers, 88, will be held today, April 14, at 11 a.m. at the Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church in Rehoboth, N.M. Burial will follow at the Rehoboth community cemetery.

Arlene was born April 29, 1928, in Grand Rapids, Mich., to John and Winifred Bouwman. She died April 8, 2016, in Albuquerque.

Arlene attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, where she met and married Keith Kuipers. She and Keith were educators and lived and worked in Everett, Wash., Kalamazoo, Mich., and for most of their lives, Rehoboth, N.M., where Keith was the Rehoboth School superintendent while Arlene was the registrar at Gallup High School for many years.

Keith and Arlene resided at Manzano del Sol in Albuquerque, for the past five years preceding Arlene’s death.

Arlene is survived by her husband, Keith Kuipers; children, Robert and Elizabeth (Holmes) Kuipers and William Kuipers; sisters, Betty Steginle, Norma Windemuller and Carol Griffeon; and four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth Harrison Bia

St. MICHAELS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Kenneth Harrison Bia, 75, of Hunter’s Point, Ariz., were held April 13 at the Mary, Mother of Mankind Parish in St. Michaels, Ariz., with Father Gutay officiating. Interment followed at the St. Michaels community cemetery.

Kenneth was born Aug. 4, 1940, in Fort Defiance, into the Hashk’aa hadzohi (Yucca Fruit-Strung-out-in-a-Line Clan), born for Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan). He died April 7, 2016, in Flagstaff.

Kenneth attended a five-year education program and was employed with Union Pacific Railroad. He was kind-hearted and giving. He loved singing and traveling with his church group.

Kenneth is survived by his brother, Phillip Bia of Chinle; and sisters, Fannie Tabaha of Hunter’s Point, and Agnes Reed of St. Michaels.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Rose Bia; Sarah Sampson, Annie Bia, Nancy Kallaco, Nelson Bia, and John Bia.

Pallbearers were Kevin Tabaha, Nelson Tabaha Jr., Joe Sampson Jr., Loy Yazzie, Leonard Nez, Ted Parkett, Melvin Bia, and Leland Brown.

Honorary pallbearer was Phillip Bia.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Kathryn J. Mathis

WINSLOW, Ariz. – Funeral services for Kathryn “Kathy” Jean Mathis, 68, were held April 12 at Greer’s Mortuary Chapel in Winslow, Ariz., with Jonathan Leonard officiating.

Kathy was born July 23, 1947, in Winslow, into the Kinlichii’nii (Red House Clan), born for Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). She died April 7, 2016, in Phoenix.

Kathy was a long-time resident of Dilkon, Ariz. She graduated from Flagstaff High School and attended Northern Arizona University. She received a bachelor’s degree from DeVry Institute of Technology.

Kathy was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1966-1969. She was employed with Arizona Water Commission for two years then spent the next 15 years with Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Phoenix.

Kathy also joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Superstition Mountain Flotilla 10-6, from 1978-1985 and served in various positions, including flotilla commander.

After returning to Dilkon, Kathy held positions with the Navajo Nation and Navajo Tribal Utility Authority.

Kathy was well known for her custom made contemporary and traditional clothing as well as special sewing projects for friends, relatives, the local school, and community. Most recently, her ongoing project was designing and sewing aprons.

Kathy was a passionate and devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys, and her favorite artist was Elvis.

Kathy is survived her sister, Gail Calisen; and brothers, Mike Begay, Ron Begay and Roald Begay, all of Dilkon.

Kathy is preceded in death by her father, Samuel H Begay; mother, Zella Keams Begay; and grandmother, Alice K. Gishey.

Honorary pallbearers were Sammy Keams, Ferris D. Keams, Roald P. Begay, Sherri L. Helton, Kelby A. Moore, and Michael McGahey.

Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to www.greersmortuary.com.

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