Miriam “Mary” R. Kappers, 91, of Hingham died on Sunday morning, March 20, 2016 at Pine Haven Residential Community in Sheboygan Falls where she had lived the past several years.
Mary was born on January 18, 1925 in Oostburg, the daughter of Henry and Evelyn (Graven) Harmeling. She graduated from Cedar Grove High School in 1943. She then attended the Milwaukee Hospital School of Nursing. On August 11, 1945 she married Harold “Kap” Kappers in Cedar Grove. Kap preceded her in death on August 9, 1997.
Mary was a member of the Hingham Reformed Church where she sang in and directed the choir, was a Sunday school and VBS teacher, and served in the Women’s Guild. Mary was also a vocalist for the Pine Haven Men’s Chorus and member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed music, reading, card playing, traveling and knitting.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Ann (Stan) Buyze of Hingham; two sons, John (Dawn) Kappers of Willmar, MN and Dan (Sue) Kappers of Waynesville, NC ; ten grandchildren, Nancy (Steve) DeJong, Jill (Doug) Rozendal, Stacy (Andy) Kerwin, Jon (Kim) Buyze, Deb Krupiczewicz, Lori (Ralph) Wersinger, Kristine (Victor) Ramirez, Rev. Ben (Melanie) Kappers, Jim (Tailor) Kappers and Rebecca (Matt) Pinckard; 18 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; one sister, Joan (Earl) Herring of Brillion; one brother, Don (Kathy) Harmeling of Waterford; four sisters-in-law, Estelle Harmeling of Oostburg, Audrey (David) Dolfin of Hingham, Mary Lou DeTroye of Oostburg, and Kathy Rauwerdink of Sheboygan Falls; one brother-in-law, Larry (Jean) Kappers of Oostburg; nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, a son-in-law, Don Van Der Jagt; two brothers, Benjamin and Derwin (Ruth) Harmeling; and two brothers-in-law, Lauren DeTroye and Warren Rauwerdink.
A funeral to celebrate Mary’s life will be held at the Hingham Reformed Church on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 10:30 am with the Revs. Ben Kappers and Steven Bakker officiating. Burial will follow at the Hingham Cemetery in the Town of Lima.
Family and friends will gather at the church on Tuesday from 4-8 pm and on Wednesday from 9:30 am until the time of the service at 10:30 am.
For online condolences and additional information please visit www.wenigfuneralhome.com
A memorial fund is being established in her memory for Pine Haven Christian Communities and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.
The Kappers family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the staffs at Pine Haven Christian Residential Home and the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for the loving and dedicated care given to Mary and their family.
The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg (920-564-2771) is serving the Kappers family.

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