Funeral service for Raymond L. Vanderploeg, 81, of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Hollandale Christian Reformed Church. The Rev. Gary Brouwers will officiate. Interment will be at 10 a.m., one hour prior to the funeral, in the Hollandale Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home.
Ray went home to be with the Lord, peacefully, surrounded by his family at home after a very courageous battle with colorectal cancer on Saturday, June 28, 2008.
Ray Vanderploeg was born on March 30, 1927, in Crookston 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.