Rev. Elmer VANDER PLOEG

VANDER PLOEG, DURRETT, JACOB

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/25/2015 at 19:46:52

July 9, 1925 --- March 5, 2011

Elmer Vander Ploeg, 85, of Lynden, Washington, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday March 5. Graveside committal was Friday at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale Washington. A celebration of his life was at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Reformed church Lynden.

Vander Ploeg was born July 9, 1925 in Carmel, He grew up in Sioux Center and graduated from Sioux Center High School. He then enlisted in the US Army, serving in a medical detachment in World War II. After being honorably discharges, he married Roberta Durrett on April 26, 1946. He attended Northwestern Junior College and graduated from Hope College in Holland MI then Western Theological Seminary, also in Holland. He served Reformed churches in Belmond Iowa; Corsica, SD; Lynden, St. Anne Illinois and Silver Creek, MN, before retiring to Lynden.

He enjoyed fishing wood working, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren. During his time in Lynden he taught Sunday school for many years and was pastor of visitation for a number of years.

Survivors include his wife of almost 65 years, Roberta ‘Bobbie’ Vander Ploeg five children; Phil Shirley Vander Ploeg, Eldon Sandy Vander Ploeg, Karl Karla Vander Ploeg, Ned Tami Vander Ploeg and Julie Israel Jacob; sister, Theresa Vander Ploeg of Sioux Center, 14 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Theodore, Lawence and Donald Vander Ploeg. Memorial Donations may be made to Words of Hope or to First Reformed church Lynden WA.

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Elmer Vander Ploeg, faithful servant of the Lord, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at the age of 85. Elmer was honest, patient, and courageous, a man of real integrity. He was a member of the "Greatest Generation."

Elmer was born July 9, 1925 in Carmel, Iowa. He grew up in Sioux Center, Iowa and graduated from Sioux Center High School. He then enlisted in the United States Army, serving in a medical detachment in WWII. After being honorably discharged, he married the love of his life, Roberta Durrett on April 26, 1946. They shared a wonderful life for almost 65 years.

He attended Northwestern Junior College, and then graduated from Hope College, in Holland, Michigan. He then went on to graduate from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Elmer faithfully served Reformed Churches in Belmond, Iowa, Corsica, South Dakota, Lynden, Washington, St. Anne, Illinois, and Silver Creek, Minnesota, before retiring to Lynden.

Elmer enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren. He served as pastor of First Reformed Church, Lynden from 1969-1977 where he taught Sunday School for many years and was the pastor of visitation for a number of years. He was instrumental on the Board of Directors during the planning and building of the new Christian Health Care Center.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Ella Vander Ploeg, and his 3 brothers, Theodore, Lawrence, and Donald Vander Ploeg.

A Graveside Committal will be held Friday, March 11 at 12:00 at Greenacres Memorial Park (Axton and Northwest Roads), followed by a Celebration of Elmer's Life at 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 12 at First Reformed Church, in Lynden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Words of Hope, 700 Ball Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, or to First Reformed Church (610 Grover St., Lynden, WA 98264) for the new Vietnamese Church Project.