Gertrude Vander Ploeg

Gertrude Vander Ploeg, 86, of Sioux Center, IA died Saturday, March 9, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Center in George, IA. A visitation will be held Monday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 5-7PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A prayer service for family and friends will be held Tuesday at 1:15PM at First Reformed Church of Sioux Center. Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 2PM at the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center, with Rev. Roger Voskuil officiating. Gertrude (Ravenswaay) Vander Ploeg was born May 8, 1926 at Ireton, Iowa, the daughter of Arie and Jacoba (Vanden Hoorn) Ravenswaay. Gert was raised on the family farm near Ireton and attended country school. On February 20, 1946 she was united in marriage to Donald A. Vander Ploeg. Following their marriage, Gert and Don farmed east of Sioux Center, Iowa. In 1984, they moved into Sioux Center. For several years, Gert cleaned homes for families. She enjoyed baking, and was especially appreciated for her cookies and cinnamon rolls. During the summer months Gert's spare time was spent in her garden. Gert was a faithful member of First Reformed Church in Sioux Center. Gert was a hard worker and instilled that work ethic in her children. Surviving are her six children: Ruth (John G.) Heyer of George, IA; Sharon Vander Ploeg of Madison, SD; Donna (Arlyn) De Wild of Hull, IA; Verle (Dorothy) Vander Ploeg of Sibley, IA; Lynn (Ahren) LaFollette of Edgerton, MN; Kevin (Connie) Vander Ploeg of Sioux Center, IA; her 9 grandchildren: John W. (Alison) Heyer of Antioch, CA; Jeremy (Rachel) Heyer of San Diego, CA; Brian De Wild of Brandon, SD; Lyle (Rebecca) De Wild, Ankeny, IA; Taylor Vander Ploeg of Sioux Center, IA; Daniel and Matthew Vander Ploeg of Sibley, IA; Adam and Austin LaFollette of Edgerton, MN and 12 great grandchildren, along with five sisters: Jeanette Netten of Hawarden, IA; Anne Van Bruggen of Hawarden, IA; Arlene De Bruin of Lynden, WA; Bernice De Kock of Hawarden, IA; Dorothy (Harlan) Tiedeman of Beresford, SD and numerous nieces and nephews. Gert was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Donald; granddaughter, Ashley Heyer; her parents, Arie and Jacoba Ravenswaay; 4 brothers-in-law: Pete Netten, Albert Van Bruggen, Jake De Bruin, Marion De Kock and twin infant brother and sister.