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Photo of Geraldine 'Gerry' (Wilson) Pletsch

Geraldine 'Gerry' (Wilson) Pletsch

10/6/1929 - 2/5/2019


Obituary


Geraldine ‘Gerry’ Pletsch, 89, of Alexander, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

Funeral services for Gerry Pletsch will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 304 3rd Avenue Northeast in Belmond, with Pastor Dawn Pederson officiating. Burial will take place at Belmond Cemetery in Belmond.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Friday, February 8, 2019 at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond and continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be gifted to charities of their choice.

Gerry was born on October 6, 1929 in Hampton to Ira Lee and Alma (Thomas) Wilson. She was baptized and married at United Methodist Church in Hampton. She graduated from Hampton High School in 1947. She was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belmond and was an active member all of her adult life.

While in high school, a chance meeting at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake changed her life forever. Accepting an offer to dance with a wonderful dancer by the name of Bud would eventually lead to marriage. Gerry and Wilbur ‘Bud’ Pletsch were married on March 21, 1948 and would spend the next 64 years together until Bud’s death in 2011. Their marriage reflected their dancing style – always graceful, in sync with each other, and each sharing equally in the twists and turns in life, children, and their farm operation. Gerry would drive a tractor, help milk the dairy herd, prepare never-ending farm-sized meals, and keep meticulous records required to support a successful farm business. She managed the farm business until the day she died. Outside of the home, Gerry worked for many years as a receptionist and bookkeeper in the Nichol’s dental practice in Belmond and was a Certified Financial Planner and realtor. In addition to these family and professional responsibilities, she also found time to support her community through service on numerous boards and committees.

Gerry would, however, reserve her most precious gifts of love and wisdom for her two children, Carla and Dale. She was their guide, provider, and, when needed, their strongest advocate. She would become the matriarchal guide for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, sharing her guidance during significant life events. 

Gerry is survived by her daughter Carla (Jim) Janssen of Waverly and Dale (Melody) Pletsch of Belmond; grandchildren Aaron (Sarah) Janssen, Adam (Claire) Janssen; Amber (Chris) Pals, and Dustin (Trina) Pletsch; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wilbur; parents Alma and Ira Lee Wilson; step-father Ken Wilkinson; one half-brother Robert Wilson; two brothers Lee and Max Wilson; and one sister Elizabeth Crotty.