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Warren Eugene Ploeger, 75 of Schaller passed away peacefully and went to his heavenly home on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Neb.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Nov. 2, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller. Burial was in Immanuel Reformed Cemetery in rural Schaller. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to Mission Central at 40718 Highway E 16, Mapleton, IA 51034. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller was in charge of the arrangements.
Warren E. Ploeger was born on Aug. 6, 1945, the son of Edward and Nley (Howe) Ploeger and the sixth child of seven at his Uncle Bill and Aunt Jessie Mernin’s home in Sulphur Springs, Buena Vista County. He lived on the family farm in rural Alta until 1950. Then the family moved to Schaller. He was baptized on April 12, 1959, and confirmed his Christian faith on May 17, 1959, at Immanuel Reformed Church, rural Schaller.
In his youth, Warren attended school in Schaller. Warren worked for his brother-in-law Donald and later Red Huelman during his school years. He said he always learned so much about livestock and farming from them. He earned his high school diploma in 1963. Even though Warren never really cared for school, he had to get an eligibility slip signed every Friday in order to play sports. So he knew he had to pass or he wouldn't get to play, BUT he always told his children and grandchildren that he wished he would have studied more in school. He loved playing sports and performing in the school plays.
Warren served in the United States Army from 1965-1967 as a Sentry Dog Handler in Okinawa and was honorably discharged in 1967.
On Dec. 6, 1968, Warren was united in marriage to Nancy Hansen at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller. On Jan. 4, 1970, Warren joined St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller where he was an active member for the remainder of his life. The couple was blessed with five children: Lonnie, Lynn, Lori, Leah and Lance.
Warren worked at Hygrade for six years. He then farmed and followed his passion for raising quarter horses and showed them throughout the United States. He also drove the school bus for Schaller Community Schools. In 1981, while continuing running his Quarter Horse operation, he began his crop insurance career with Old Republic Insurance Company as a Field Representative. Then in 1992, Warren started his own crop insurance business, Agri Business Insurance Inc., in Lake City. He later moved the business to Schaller in 2005.
Warren was a long-time member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller where he was a Sunday School Superintendent, Usher and Elder, and he also enjoyed playing dartball. He spent countless hours coaching little league baseball and basketball. Warren was also a school board member for many years. He was part of the Huptu Squad and volunteered as an ambulance driver.
Never one to sit still, Warren’s hobbies included raising pheasants, hunting elk and deer with Lance and John, raising show pigs with Lonnie and raising a few cattle so he would always have something to do on the farm. Warren loved watching any sporting event, and he enjoyed watching hours of ESPN. In his early years, Warren belonged to a men’s and mixed bowling league. Many of Warren’s greatest years were raising and showing horses. In 2002, Warren was listed by the American Quarter Horse Association as one of the Top 20 Producers of Halter Class Winners in the U.S.
Warren enjoyed serving the Lord, and he would always say, “All Glory goes to God!” He would tell his grandchildren, “Work hard, do your best and God will do the rest!” He taught his family that it was better to give than to receive. Warren was always a very giving person.
After Nancy retired in 2007, Warren and Nancy enjoyed traveling. Some of their favorite trips were to the New England States, Panama Canal, Branson, Alaska, fishing trips to Lake Michigan and last fall they traveled to the Redwoods in California. Warren’s happiest times were attending his grandchildren’s activities and spending time with his family. Warren and Nancy took their whole family on many vacations to Colorado where they’d rent a big house in the mountains so they could all be together. To celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary, Warren and Nancy took their family on a trip to Hawaii where many memories were made. His legacy for those left behind is the importance of faith, family and the love of our country, the good ol’ U.S. of A! Warren will always be remembered for his funny jokes, quick wit, welcoming smile and giving the best hugs. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 52 years, Nancy, of Schaller; his five children: Lonnie and Kathy Ploeger of Pierson; Lynn and John Wunschel of Schaller; Lori Christiansen of Ankeny; Leah Braunschweig of Schaller; and Lance and Myka Ploeger of Holstein. Warren is further survived by his 17 grandchildren: Elle, Charles, Emerson and Enley Ploeger; Colton, Kenzee, Kyler and Cody Wunschel; Zachary, Anna and Nate Christiansen; Jack and Luke Braunschweig; Reid Vogt; Alexis, Casee and Walter Ploeger; two brothers, Melvin Ploeger and wife Dorothy Ploeger of Ida Grove; Duane Ploeger and wife Karen Ploeger of Storm Lake; and one sister, Donna Jeanne Lindstrom and husband Darold Lindstrom of Ida Grove; sisters-in-law: Darlene Ploeger Wells from Denison; Wanita Wiese and husband Randy Wiese from Kingsley; Carolyn Goecke from Storm Lake; Nora Demers and husband Lance Demers from Bondurant; and Diane Hansen of Schaller; brothers-in-law: Clarence Hansen and wife Kris Hansen of Schaller; Darwyn Hansen and wife Sharri Hansen of Schaller; Chad Hansen and wife Robbi Hansen of Schaller; and many nieces and nephews.
Warren was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Nley Ploeger; brother Bob Ploeger; sisters: Virginia Burhop and Janette Willer; niece Cindy Wolf; brothers-in-law: Don Burhop, Ronnie Willer and Charlie Hansen, Jr.; father and mother-in-law Charles and Wanda Hansen.
