Vander Wiede, Benjamin "Ben" Lee 1975-2023

VANDERWIEDE, SCHOUTEN, HOPPER

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/14/2023 at 13:14:57

Disclaimer: Ben’s obituary was not written by a “loving family member” but by a “loving buddy”, as it should be. Ben had a wonderful sense of humor, so he should be honored and remembered that way.

Benjamin “Ben” Lee Vander Weide passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at the age of 47. He was doing one of the things he loved; riding his “motorcycle.” I put motorcycle in quotes because it was more of a glorified scooter, although he would never admit it, but a tragic accident took his life from us way too soon.

Ben was born in Sioux Center, Iowa on September 23, 1975 to very proud parents Larry and Deb (Schouten) Vander Weide. Ben graduated from Sioux Center High School. He later went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Business Finance. His diploma was signed and everything. His love for Iowa sports was born here and he loved rooting for them every March Madness.

Ben spent his working career in banking, spending 15 years as a federally commissioned bank examiner with the FDIC where he was promoted to a Senior Examiner position. He forged many lifelong friendships there and loved playing pranks on his coworkers. He probably should have been let go many times, but as even he said, it is hard to get fired from the government. After leaving federal employment, he worked for two South Dakota banks, most recently as Director, Enterprise Risk Management at Pathward.

Ben was an outdoorsman at heart. Not that he could survive outdoors without modern comforts, but he loved everything to do outside. He loved playing golf, and this guy skipped work anytime he could to play 18 holes with his buddies. He also loved fishing with his dad and his son. He learned to fish at a young age, but he never really learned how to catch big fish. Seriously. Every picture of him holding a fish, the fish is tiny! He also loved winter sports, especially downhill skiing and just recently picked up cross country skiing. There was not a season where he could not find something he loved to do.

Ben also loved live music. This guy would fly to Florida just to attend a concert. He was also well traveled. Ben had a chance to visit so many cities and parts of this country. One thing to easily admire about Ben is he packed in an entire lifetime of memories in 47 years. Nobody could ever accuse him of not seizing the moment and living life to its fullest. He was truly an inspiration on how life should be done.

However, Ben’s biggest passion in his life was his son Miles. Ben was the most fun-loving and carefree person you could ever meet, and he was very accomplished, but his most proud accomplishment was always Miles. Ben loved baseball, and he loved sharing that passion with his son. Ben volunteered to coach many of Miles’ sports teams throughout the years, even when they asked him not to. He had such a giving heart, and he gave everything he had to Miles. Being a father was always his most proud and important role.

Ben is lovingly remembered by his son, Miles, Sioux Falls, SD; parents, Larry and Deb Vander Weide of Sioux Center, IA; significant other, Jen (Sandvig) Pfeiffer, Sioux Falls, SD; sister, Sherri (Jerry) Wolfswinkel, Carmel, IA; brother, Dan (Corrina) Vander Weide, Orange City, IA; brother, Doug (Heather) Vander Weide, Savage, MN; sister Sheila (Blair) Harp, Alton, IA; sister, Amy Baum, Albany, NY; brother, Lee (Matthew) Vander Weide, Sioux Falls, SD; grandmother, Millie Vander Weide, Sioux Center, IA, numerous nieces and nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, and more friends than you can possibly imagine.

Ben was preceded in death by grandfather, Bob Schouten; grandfather, William Vander Weide, grandmother, Jean Hopper, and uncle Dave Schouton.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Go Fundme: https://gofund.me/3e3e43b3 in memory of Ben, for Miles.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 4, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Embrace Church, 2800 E. 57th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57108.

Source: Memorial Funeral Home online obituary.