Obit: Plautz, George J. Sr. #2 (1918 – 2014)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Plautz, Popovic, Podrovitz, Mornson, Felix, Zamarripa, Krempasky

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 29 Jan 2014

Plautz, George J. Sr. (18 MAR 1918 – 21 JAN 2014)

George J. Plautz Sr., 95, Greenwood, died on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, at Golden Living Center in Marshfield. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Jan. 25, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenwood. Rev. Steve Brice celebrated the mass. Military honors were rendered by the Greenwood American Legion. Burial will be held later at the church cemetery.

George James Plautz was born in a log cabin in the town of Hendren near Willard, on March 18, 1918, to Steven and Mary (nee Popovic) Plautz. He attended North Willard School through the eighth grade, foregoing further education to help his widowed mother on the farm. He also worked for his brothers, who had started a sand and gravel business called Plautz Bros. George proudly served his country during World War II in the army as a searchlight operator in the South Pacific Theatre. After the war, he resumed working for his brothers until the company was sold in 1979. George and his brother, Joe, continued to sell and haul gravel on a smaller scale for a number of years. During his retirement years, George enjoyed gardening and planting trees at his home and on the 40 acres he owned in the country affectionately referred to as “The Ranch.” He and his wife, Ellen, also spent many winters in Florida, living next door to George’s sister, Angeline. George married Frances Podrovitz in 1946, and they had one son, George Jr. Frances passed away from a brain hemorrhage during her second pregnancy. In 1955, George married Ellen (nee Mornson) Felix, a widow with three children. They subsequently had two children. George was a proud member of the American Legion, serving in various roles, such as commander, chaplain and historian. He joined the drill team in 1958. He was also a member of the 40 & 8, VFW, Rock Dam Rod & Gun Club, Slovenian American Union, American Slovenian Catholic Union, Slovenska Druzba and the Knights of Columbus.

George is survived by his wife, Ellen; his children George Plautz Jr., Laurie (Alex) Zamarripa and Gigi Plautz; his stepchildren, Noel Felix, Meda (Jerome) Krempasky and John (Trixie) Felix; four grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Rosaline; and one sister-in-law, Marge (Emil) Plautz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Frances; an unborn child; his siblings, Steve, John, Joe, Frank, Mike, Angeline, Helen, Ann, Mary, Sophie, and Emil; one grandchild; and one step-grandchild.

To sign the guestbook or share memories online, visit www.chippewavalleycremation.com.

Chippewa Valley Cremation Services assisted the family with arrangements.