HARRY VANDER PLOEG
1936 - 2005
2 Corinthians 1:7
"And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort."
After a short and courageous battle with cancer, Mr. Harry Vander Ploeg, beloved husband of Mrs. Alice Vander Ploeg of Vauxhall, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 at the age of 69 years.
Harry was born May 11, 1936 in Oudebiltzijl, Friesland. At the age of 15, Harry and his family immigrated to Canada, first landing in Quebec City, then traveling further west to Alberta. Harry's family arrived in the Picture Butte area, then decided to move to the Vauxhall area, which they called home. In the spring of 1952, Harry worked at the Clarindale Stock Farms. He became an electrician in 1956 and continued to work in this trade until he retired in 1999. He decided that retirement wasn't quite in his plans yet, and became a bus driver for Cardinal Coach Lines, where he remained until his passing. Harry married Alice Oldenburger on November 30, 1962, and they were blessed with four children; Stan, Faye, Jeff and Helene. In 1978, they decided to become foster parents. Harry and Alice were foster parents for over 27 years, and during that time they adopted two children; Clinton and Laura. Harry and Alice were members of the Vauxhall Christian Reformed Church for 35 years, and after the church closed they became members of the Mennonite Brethren Church in Vauxhall. They made many friends who shared in their love and faith in the Lord. Dad was an active member in the community. He was a volunteer EMR for the Vauxhall Emergency Services for many years. He was also a member of the Vauxhall Seniors and he would spend hours playing cribbage with his friends at the seniors center. Many family visits and reunions were spent around the cribbage board, with Dad as an eager participant. How he loved to play that game. Dad loved baseball, and he coached the Minor League baseball in Vauxhall for over 25 years. He was an excellent coach, and he cheered on "his boys" both in victory and in defeat. Many summer vacations were spent following his teams while they played in various tournaments around Alberta. Dad was also an avid fisherman. He loved to spend his summer holidays camping and fishing with Mom, and as time passed, their holidays also included two special little girls, their granddaughters Natasha and Teanna.
To carry on his memory, Harry is survived by his wife and best friend, Alice, and their children: Stan (Judy) of Calgary, Faye (fiancé Brian) of Lethbridge, Jeff of Edmonton, Clinton of Lethbridge, Helene of Edmonton, and Laura of Camrose. Pake will also be remembered by his granddaughters: Natasha and Teanna of Lethbridge, and Shantae of Ottawa. Harry is also survived by his sisters: Teresa (Pieter) de Graaf of Lethbridge, Joan (Ben) Bouwman of Vauxhall, sister-in-law Shirley Vander Ploeg of Lethbridge, and Alice's family: Leo (Dini) Oldenburger, Jake (Denise) Oldenburger, Ray (Joni) Oldenburger and Bert (Nikki) Oldenburger all of Lethbridge, Janny (Gerit) Top of High River, Ralph (Susan) Oldenburger of Picture Butte, and Harry (Joan) Oldenburger of Iron Springs, as well as many nieces and nephews and extended family.
Harry was predeceased by his parents Siebren and Hendrika Vander Ploeg, brother Jan Vander Ploeg, mother and father-in-law Fenje and Jacob Oldenburger and brother-in-law Stuart Oldenburger.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, July 7, 2005 from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
A private family interment service will be held prior to the funeral service.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren Church, 320 - 9 Street North, Vauxhall on Friday, July 8, 2005 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Mike Vandyk of the First Christian Reformed Church in Taber, officiating.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Harry's name may be made directly to the Taber Hospital Foundation, Emergency Department, 4326-50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.