Piersen "Pete" Vander Plaats

     Piersen “Pete” Vander Plaats, age 77, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Monday, September 14, 2020 at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center, Iowa.

     A private immediate family funeral service will be held for Pete on Friday, September 18, 2020 at Covenant Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center with Pastor Joel Kok officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center, IA.

     The funeral service Friday morning will be live streamed and available at 10:15 AM with the service beginning at 10:30 AM on the Covenant Christian Reformed Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/Covenant-CRC-520064914738965/live

     A public visitation without family present will be Thursday, September 17^th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center, IA.

     In lieu of flowers, family wish memorials, which will be directed to Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA.

    Pete Vander Plaats was born October 30, 1942, in Sanborn, IA to Martin and Berendina (Kooistra) Vander Plaats. In 1946 the family moved to Ogilvie, MN where he received his education and graduated from Ogilvie High School.

     On July 19, 1963, he was united in marriage to Ellen Betty Walhof at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton, MN. To this union five children were born. The couple made their home in Ogilvie, MN where Pete worked for Land O’ Lakes Ice Cream Plant in Mora. Later they moved to Orange City, IA and Pete worked for Wells Dairy Ice Cream Plant as a line supervisor. He retired in 2004.

     Pete loved his family and church very much. He served on consistory, and taught catechism in Ogilvie. He especially enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. If at all possible, Pete was there cheering them on. He also enjoyed wood working and tinkering with just about anything. He also spent many years on the fire department, served as mayor, and city council member in Ogilvie.

     He is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Betty Vander Plaats of Sioux Center; son, Preston and Lori Vander Plaats of Sioux Center and their children, Kari, Forrestal, Maria, Jill and BJ; son, Greg and Tami Vander Plaats of Prior Lake, MN and their children, Shad and Whitney; son, Marty and Kris Vander Plaats of Sioux Center, IA and their children, Kyle, Jacob, Michael, and Lauren; daughter, Kristin and Scott Shippy of Sioux Center, IA and their children, James, Peter and Philip; and son, Ryan and Rebecca Vander Plaats of Athens, GA and their son, Aaron; brothers and sisters, Joyce, Anna Mae, Al and Evie, Van, Gail, Arlys and Dennis, and Molly and Lee; and other extended family members.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Berendina, brothers, Clarence, Gerald and Don, and grandson Derek.