Vernon Ploeger

VERNON ALBERT PLOEGER was born on July 10, 1920 to William and Elsie (Hintz) Ploeger in Aurora, South Dakota. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elkton on September 26, 1920 and was confirmed on April 14, 1935 at 1st English Lutheran Church in Aurora, South Dakota. He attended school through the 10th grade in Bushnell, South Dakota. On December 9, 1943, he was united in marriage to Lorine Pape at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elkton, South Dakota. On March 9, 1945, Vernon was drafted into the United States Army. He trained at Camp Hood in Texas and was deployed to the Philippine Islands. On July 20, 1946 he was honorably discharged. Vernon was a life-long farmer; he farmed in Elkton, Brookings, South Dakota, Pipestone, Minnesota, and finally north of Lake Benton, Minnesota and then moved into Lake Benton in 1985 when they retired. In February of 2012 Vernon moved into the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, Minnesota. Vernon died peacefully on October 31, 2015 at Edgebrook Care Center at the age of 95 years.

Vernon was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Benton where he was a member of the Lutheran Men’s Club, the Church Dart Ball Club, he was a church Elder, and served on various church council boards. He was also a member of the REA Board of Directors, the FHA Board, and the American Legion. He enjoyed spending his time outdoors fishing and gardening.

Vernon is survived by his four sons, Gary (Connie) Ploeger of Pipestone, Minnesota, Randy (Arlis) Ploeger of Wahpeton, North Dakota; Danny (Nancy) Ploeger of Mesa, Arizona, and Todd Ploeger of Glendale, Arizona; one brother, Donald Ploeger of Las Vegas, Nevada; eleven grandchildren, Scott, Tom, Stephanie Lantigua, Leah Hoellein, Jeffrey, Paula Owens, Ryan, Kristy, Megan, Austin, and Sydney; 16 great-grandchildren, Zachary, Ethan, Avery, Corbyn, Garrett, Luke, Tanner, Tristan, Justin and Amy Hoehein, Kate and Miguel Lantigua, Samuel Vesel, and Noah, Elliot, and Olivia Owens; sister-in-law, Virginia (and Wilbur) Latham of Litchfield, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorine; parents, William and Elsie; one sister, Fay Ploeger; and one sister-in-law, Darlene Ploeger; niece, Suzanne Hedtke; and a nephew, Spencer Latham. Blessed be his memory.