Gary L. Doppenberg

Sheldon, Iowa

Funeral services for Gary L. Doppenberg, age 81, of Sheldon who passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Orange City Area Health in Orange City. His memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon with Pastor Brian Dunn, officiating.

Gary's service will be livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/@firstchristianreformedshel6538/streams

Family prayer service will be held at 10:45 A.M. on Thursday.

Burial with military honors will be at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

Visitation with family present will be from 5 to 7 P.M. on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Sheldon Christian School or First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon.

Arrangements are under the care of the Andringa Funeral Home – Sheldon.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

GARY LEE DOPPENBERG

BORN

August 26, 1944

Edgerton, Minnesota

PASSED AWAY

December 5, 2025

Orange City, Iowa

MEMORIAL SERVICE

11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 11, 2025

First Christian Reformed Church; Sheldon, Iowa

Pastor Brian Dunn – Officiating

MUSIC

“Goodness Of God” – Jen Johnson

“How Great Thou Art” – Carrie Underwood

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

“Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone”

“Hallelujah Chorus”

Accompanists: Lori DeJong & Lora Petitt

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS

Rhett Bonnema 

Rhyer Bonnema

Eldon Hoekstra 

Dixon Granstra

CASKET BEARERS

Dusty Doppenberg 

Chuck Stapleton

Tate Doppenberg 

Matt Hanenburg

Trey Doppenberg 

Austin Schut

Randy Fonkert 

Ron Daggett

FINAL RESTING PLACE

10:00 A.M. Graveside

East Lawn Cemetery

Sheldon, Iowa

Military honors presented by:

McGothlen-Cowie Post of the Sheldon American Legion.

After today’s service, relatives, and friends are invited

to join the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to:

Sheldon Christian School or First Christian Reformed Church.

Arrangements are under the care of the

Andringa Funeral Home; Sheldon, Iowa.

GARY LEE DOPPENBERG

Gary Lee Doppenberg was born to Bert and Lena (Hofkamp) Doppenberg on August 26, 1944, in Edgerton, Minnesota. Gary was raised in Leota, Minnesota. He attended Leota Christian grade school and Southwest Christian High School in Edgerton, Minnesota, graduating in 1962. He attended Calvin College in Michigan for one year. He then entered the work force as an employee of Siouxland Implement Co. in Ireton, Iowa. Gary enlisted in the 185th Air National Guard then was stationed in Korea for a year and a half. Gary married Donna Vink from Sheldon, Iowa in 1969. They lived in Ireton until he accepted the manager position at the George Elevator and Feed Store in George, Iowa in 1970. In 1972 they moved to Sheldon, Iowa where he opened Gary’s Feed Service. Gary and Donna were blessed with two children. A daughter Missy Schut and a son, Dusty Doppenberg. In 1981 he bought Ritter feed lot and later bought a feed lot south of Sheldon where he fed cattle for many years, something he loved to do. He also fed hogs for many years. Gary expanded Gary’s Feed to Deluxe Feeds Inc. south of Sheldon where he built a new facility office, flaking plant and bin storage for the farmers to bring their grain. He turned the old Gary’s Feed into Deluxe Animal Health where he sold vet supplies. In 1995 he purchased the Ireton Feed Store in Ireton, Iowa. Gary was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church where he served as a deacon and elder for many years. He was also on the Sheldon Christian School Board and the executive board of Dordt University. Gary was also inducted into the O’Brien County Value Added Ag Hall of Fame.

Gary was a man of great faith and in everything he did gave God the Glory. God always came first in his life and then his family who he cared for so well. Gary’s grandkids and great grandkids meant the world to him. He set a good example for his whole family teaching them Christian values. Gary and Donna spent 56 years together and they both felt very blessed. They traveled to many places and spent time in the winters in Florida.

Gary enjoyed golfing and fishing. His grandkids were his pride and joy and he loved going to their school and sporting events.

Gary’s mission and joy in life was to help others get ahead. And he did whatever he could to help them. He was a great advice giver and a very honest businessman for 44 years. Anything he accomplished in life he took no credit for. He would always say it’s not me it’s God working through me.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Donna, a daughter Missy Schut, a son, Dusty (Amy) Doppenberg, grandchildren, Austin Schut, Alexa (Derek) Bonnema, Tate Doppenberg, Trey Doppenberg. Great grandkids Rhett, Ryher, Ridge and Rinley Bonnema. Sister, Donna (Daryl) Hanenburg, brothers-in-law, Calvin Hoff, Jim Ludens, and Dallas (Carol) Apol, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Rod (Bonnie) Fonkert and many dear nieces and nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife’s parents, his sisters, Alice Mae Hoff, Kathleen Ludens and Gladys Apol.

“TO GOD BE THE GLORY”