Barbara J Kaper

Barbara Jane Kaper, born September 7, 1933, went home to be with Jesus on September 1, 2025. She was one of five children born to John and Alice Brinks of Jenison, Michigan, all of whom predeceased her.

Barbara enjoyed telling the story how she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior when she was three years old. She and her mother had taken the bus from Grandville to Grand Rapids to attend a church service. When the alter call was made, she nudged her mother and said, “I think I’d like to do that”, and she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

Barbara was the first Homecoming Queen at Grandville High School. As a sophomore, she was crowned Queen of the homecoming celebration at her cherished Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where she was majoring in sociology. She later obtained her bachelor’s degree in education from Vassar College and her master’s degree from Colorado University.

Barbara greatly enjoyed time spent with family. The early years included road trips with all five children in the back of station wagon headed for grandparents’ homes, the shores of Lake Michigan, or New York City. In 1971 she and Ron purchased the A&W Restaurant in Gunnison, Colorado, operating it until 1981. Tubing down the river, games and puzzles with grandchildren were treasured times. She loved baking bread for friends and new neighbors at Horizon Towers and cherished those friendships. She faithfully attended services and bible study at New Horizons Foursquare Church.

She and Ron Kaper were introduced by good friends, Don and Linda Hoffman, with an always remembered first date on February 13. They married June 11, 1954, and were blessed by five children, four of whom survive her: Pamela (Bill) Clarke of Tyner, Kentucky, Tom (Shyrl) Kaper of Grand Junction, Colorado, Jon (Brenda) Kaper of Fort Morgan, Colorado, and Kathryn (Robin) Tyner of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Barbara is also survived by her son-in-law, Hieu Le, six grandchildren, eleven great- grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and cherished friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, and daughter, Carol Le.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on September 27, 2025, at New Horizons Foursquare Church, Grand Junction, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to HopeWest Ferris Care Center, Grand Junction, Colorado, where Barbara was lovingly cared for in her final days.