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Bryan Ver Ploeg

September 6, 1951 - April 24, 2023

Bryan A. Ver Ploeg was born on September 6, 1951, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was the third child born to Alonzo and Geraldine (Van Wyk) Ver Ploeg. Bryan grew up on a farm north of Pella. He attended Bunker Hill country school through the fourth grade. After fourth grade, when Bunker Hill school had closed, Bryan attended school in Pella, graduating in 1969 from Pella High School.  He then attended Iowa State University, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Agronomy. He served six years in the Iowa Air National Guard from 1971 to 1977. 

 

Bryan married his high school sweetheart Deborah Van Wyk November 20, 1970, at First Church in Pella. They were blessed with two children: Brent William and Megan Marie. Bryan and Debbie raised their family on Debbie’s family farm near Peoria, Iowa, where Bryan farmed for 15 years with Debbie’s dad and brother. Bryan loved the farm, especially the planting and harvest season.  

 

In 1988 Bryan left farming and began working for various seed corn companies in the Sully, Pella, and Ames areas doing corn and soybean research. He enjoyed travelling to all the research plots in the Midwest and the winter plots in Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Some of his favorite days were working with the ISU agronomy students teaching them research techniques. In 1997, Bryan and Debbie moved to Ankeny, Iowa, so Bryan could be closer to his work in Ames. 

 

Bryan’s faith was important to him. He attended First Church until his move to Ankeny serving as deacon, youth leader, and Sunday school teacher. He was especially proud of being a founding member of the Prairie Ridge Church in Ankeny. His involvement at Prairie Ridge included being part of the men’s fix-it team, Bible study groups, Tuesday morning breakfast club, and trips to the Boundary Waters. 

 

Bryan had many hobbies including antique tractors, hunting, fishing, reading, and gardening. But his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and attending their various activities. 

The funeral can be seen online at https://youtube.com/live/zAYvFBfMSTo?feature=share

 

 

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Debbie, and his family: Brent and Anna Ver Ploeg of Grimes, Iowa, grandsons Benjamin, Andrew, Ethan Ver Ploeg; Megan and Brad Beebe of Adel, Iowa, grandson William Beebe and granddaughter Brooklyn Beebe.  

 

He is also survived by his brother, Alan (Rita) Ver Ploeg of Laramie, WY and his sisters, Mary Vander Wilt, Elaine (Don) Derringer and Brenda Faro all of Pella; his mother-in-law, Irene Van Wyk of Pella; sisters-in-law, Kathy (Duane) Ver Ploeg and Marla (Gary) Waddle; brother-in-law, Michael (Andrea) Van Wyk all of Pella; and many dear nieces and nephews. 

 

Bryan was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo and Geraldine Ver Ploeg; his father-in-law, William Ross Van Wyk; and his brothers-in-law, Robert Vander Wilt and Tracy Faro. 

Visitation will be held from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Prairie Ridge Church (825 NW 36th St). A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2023, also at the church.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Habitat for Humanities or Hope Ministries-Des Moines.