Services
Obituary
Lillian Vander Ploeg, 84, of Kanawha, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.
Funeral services for Lillian Vander Ploeg will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 10:30 AM at the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church, Kanawha with Pastor Steve Schulz officiating. Burial will take place in Amsterdam Township Cemetery, Kanawha.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 118 East Second Street, in Kanawha and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.
Lillian Eva, the daughter of Ben and Grace (Nieman) Blank, was born on a farm in Erin Township, Britt, Iowa on October 17, 1924. She grew up in Erin Township where she attended country schools. She worked for Dr. Judd and Norway Rural Telephone Company prior to her marriage.
Lillian was united in marriage with Clarence Vander Ploeg of Holland, Michigan on March 18, 1947, after Clarence returned from WWII. The couple made their home in Holland until 1949, when they returned to Kanawha to farm. The couple retired from farming in 1994 and moved into Kanawha. Lillian was employed by the Kanawha Community Home for over 18 years after her children were grown.
Lillian loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and extended family; she also enjoyed gardening and sewing. For several years she was a second mom to her sister Leona’s children following the death of their father.
Lillian was a member of the Kanawha Christian Reformed Church since age 17 and taught Sunday School for many years.
Lillian is survived by her two children: Curtis (Judy) Vander Ploeg of Kanawha and Cheryl (Jay) Jackson of Kanawha; three grandchildren: Sylvia Jackson, Joseph Jackson and James Vander Ploeg; two great grandchildren, Kimberly and Alvin Jay Jackson; three sisters: Edna Schreur of Lynden, Washington, Ada Schoenwetter of Garner, Leona (Kenneth) Sorenson of Crystal Lake; four sisters-in-law: Ann Blank of Kanawha, Delia Mouw of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Joyce Nieman of Kanawha, Marion Blank of Garner and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Clarence in 2004; infant son Steven in 1952; infant brother in 1927; two brothers: Cecil Blank and Raymond Blank; six brothers-in-law: Homer Schoenwetter, Harold Mouw, Donald Marchand, Martin Nieman and Herman Schreur.