Raymond L. Vanderploeg

Ray Vanderploeg was born on March 30, 1927 in Crookston, MN to Richard and Marie Middle Vanderploeg. In 1935 the family moved to Clarks Grove where they were farmers. Ray attended District 5 School through the 8th grade. In 1946 Ray met Maxine Mickelson and they were united in marriage on May 17, 1950 at the Hollandale Christian Reformed Church. Their early married life found them farming until 1954 when they moved from their farm to Clarks Grove. Among other jobs, Ray was a butter maker for the Clarks Grove Creamery for 15 years. Ray retired after a 26 year career as a refrigeration/boiler and maintenance engineer for Holsum Foods. Ray was a man of many talents. He enjoyed construction and continued with farm work, helping many people. He loved life and working was his passion. He was proud to be able to build his own home and farm site east of Clarks Grove with the help of his family and later building his current home. He enjoyed woodworking and furniture making in his later years. Ray and Maxine enjoyed many happy retirement years together. They especially enjoyed family. Ray is survived by his wife, Maxine, their children David and wife Karen Vanderploeg, Darrel and wife Patricia Vanderploeg, Duane and wife Mary Jo Vanderploeg, Rick and wife Joan Vanderploeg, Dawn and husband Greg McKane, and Deanne and husband Dr. Brian Zogg; grandchildren Julie Patrick Krommendyk, Ryan Janelle Vanderploeg, Jenny Dustin Veldkamp, Jermey Kristi Vanderploeg, Joshua Shurrell Vanderploeg, Kurtis Rebecca Vanderploeg, Jan Andy Bernau, Lonna Vanderploeg, Tara Vanderploeg, Jay Vanderploeg, Adam Amanda McKane, Bethany Zogg, Kevin Zogg, Kyle Zogg, and Aaron Zogg; great-grandchildren Allyson, Brenna, Bennett, Tyler, Shai, Braiden, and Tegan; sisters Winifred Meelker, Sadie William DeBoer, and Jeanette VandeBrake; sisters-in-law Kathleen Vanderploeg, Sadie Vanderploeg, and Ida Willis Nicholson; brothers-in-law Larry Sandra Mickelson, DeWayne Mickelson, and Ronald Mickelson; and many nieces and nephews. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Cornie and Peter Vanderploeg, his brothers-in-law William VandeBrake and Gerrett Meelker, and his parents-in-law. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Hollandale Christian Reformed Church.