Obituary - Joe Verploegen

Joe Verploegen, 65, passed away due to natural causes at Benefis Healthcare Monday, January 3, 2022.

Cremation has taken place, and a Celebration of Joe's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 7, 2022, at the Havre Assembly of God Church with Pastor Curt Curtis officiating. Burial will take place in the Cottonwood Cemetery north of Havre at 3:00 p.m., also Friday, January 7, 2022.

Joe's family has suggested memorial donations be made in memory of Joe to the Care and Comfort Home or to the Havre Assembly of God Church.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Joe's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com .

Joe was born January 6, 1956, in Havre to Hans and Norma (Larsen) Verploegen, the fourth of six children. The family farmed and ranched north of Havre, and Joe grew up on the ranch, attending school in Havre. He graduated from Havre High School in 1974.

After high school, Joe continued his life of farming and ranching on the family farm. In 1977, he married Vicki Haugen, and together they raised their family of six children on the family farm.

Joe loved his life of farming and ranching, and it was evident that God knew what he was doing when he picked Joe for the occupation. Joe possessed a love for animals and had a natural ability to read and understand a horse, cow, dogs and even a coyote. He was an avid hunter, and in his earlier years, he had great times hunting with his brothers and friends. In his later years, he continued hunting the Tom Miner area near Gardiner, MT, as well as the Upper Missouri Breaks, experiences he shared with his children.

Joe had a passion for firearms, and he passed his extensive knowledge of and skills with firearms down to his children.

He enjoyed occasional road trips, especially to Many Glacier in western Montana, where he and Vicki would often hike together, and where they shared several close encounters with passing grizzly bears. Joe would say, "If you wanna see a bear, go with Vicki!"

Joe was passionately outspoken about his love for America and was a true patriot. He loved God and our country, and prayed and tried hard to depend on the Lord's help daily.

His wife, children, and grandson Tyrell were his greatest blessings. He would often ask "Is Ty-man comin' out today?" Ty was truly a shining light for him.

Vicki often told Joe that his dedication to taking care of his family and providing for them was unmatched, and this couldn't be more true. He genuinely enjoyed, loved, and prayed for his children. He was very proud of them all. Joe was loved beyond measure and will be missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his and Vicki's first son, Jerod (1986), and his parents, Norma (2009) and Hans (2016).

Joe is survived by his wife of 44 years, Vicki of Havre; children Derek Verploegen of Arizona, and Jamie, J'nai, Amanda, and Doug Verploegen, all of Havre; grandson, Tyrell Verploegen; and his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and many cousins.