Andy M. Ploeg, of Burlington, passed away at home on January 12, 2011. He was surrounded by his loving family and dog Charlie.

He was born in Burlington, WA to John & Thelma Ploeg on October 21, 1935.

He attended school at Burlington Edison where he met Ethel Houser. They were married in April 1953.

Andy was known as a jack of all trades, working throughout his life as a farmer, fabricator, business owner and race car builder, among other things.

Andy enjoyed fishing, gardening, racing and helping his grand-kids build things in his shop. Once a man to mow over "unneeded" flowers with the lawn mover, he left a beautiful garden and vast flowerbeds behind. Andy was always a collector of "things" - that we called junk - but he always found a way to build something with it or resell it. If Craigslist was around during his junk collecting days he would have been a millionaire (or so he said).

Skagit Speedway was a big part of his life. He built a car and raced it once & found that his true passion was building the cars. He built cars for many people including his son-in-law Randy, his son Jeff and grandsons Mike, Matt & Brett.

Dad/Grandpa we thank you for teaching us so many things and showing us that anything was possible. You will be dearly missed.

Andy is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ethel; his daughters, Kathy (Randy) Cheadle of Bow, Carolyn (Jim) Whitney of Mount Vernon & son Jeff (Cathy) Ploeg of Burlington; grand-kids, Michelle (Troy) Knutzen, Craig (Amy) Cheadle, Brett Lloyd, Mike Ploeg, Matt Ploeg; great-grandkids, Kendall & Cooper Knutzen, Kara & Zach Cheadle, Nathan Andrew Ploeg; and brother, Ron (Gailyn) Ploeg of Bow.

Per his wishes there will be no service.

The family would like to thank all of the wonderful staff at the Kidney Dialysis Center who've been a big part of Andy's life for the past 12 years.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donation be made to the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation, Kidney Fund, PO Box 1376, Mount Vernon, WA 98273

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Skagit Valley Herald on Jan. 14, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for ANDY PLOEG

8 Entries

Don Beldessi

January 23, 2011

Dear Ethel. We are so sorry to hear of Andy's passing. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love Don and Debbie Beldessi

January 20, 2011

To My Ploeg Cousins: I still use a line that I learned from Andy when I was a little girl. We were all sitting around a table eating at the Blanchard Hall for some family event. Kathy belched really loud. Andy said, "Bring it up again and we'll vote on it." Kathy, of course, belched again and Andy said, "All in favor say aye." I laughed so hard. Hugs to you all. Love, Cindy (Davenport) Johnson

Judy Roell

January 20, 2011

Dear Ethel May, Kathy, Carolyn, and Jeff. You are all great cousins to have. I spent many wonderful times with you at the farm. My best memory of Andy was the day Jeff drove the tractor onto the manure pit. We thought Jeff was going to drown and called Andy to come quick. Andy came running, put boards down on the manure, walked in to get Jeff and literaly threw him to safety. Then Andy hopped on that tractor and drove it right off the manure pit. As a child, I was truly amazed by Andy's heroic actions and the very possiblity that Jeff could be saved!!

I love you all.

Al & Carolyn Bakker

January 14, 2011

Dear Ethel, We are very sorry to learn of Andy's passing. You are in our prayers.

Dale Jenkins

January 14, 2011

Dear Ethel and Family
It has been my pleasure to have known Andy since the fifth grade. I will always remember Andy as a kind, generous, and friendly person that was definitely a family man. We have all been blessed to have known him.

Marc Breckenridge

January 14, 2011

My condolences to Ethel and the Ploeg Family. It was an Honor and a Pleasure being Santa Claus on Christmas Eve 2010 at Andy and Ethel's Home and seeing the "smile" on Andy's face as his Great-Grandkids opened their Hot Wheels Racing Cars. May you Rest in Peace Mr. Andy. Your Friend, Marc B.

Mari Nelson

January 14, 2011

Dear Ethel, Kathy, Carolyn, Jeff and family, I am very saddened to read that Andy has passed on. So many fond memories of Andy. The time I helped Kathy rake hay ( I was having fun) and Andy told me I deserved to be paid, & he did! The times I worked for him and he taught me how to sell race car parts and fuel. The story of his "short" career as a race car driver. It's with a heavy heart I write this, and I hope all the memories will sustain you in your time of grief. With Sincere Condolences, Mari

Mike & Nancy Gale

January 14, 2011

You were the brother I never had. I will miss you so much. Andy, I will always remember you and I looking like a couple of little kids racing around your barn on the Honda 50's.Mike

I will always remember the large bowls of buttery popcorn we shared. Nancy

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