Plueger, Elmer G. L. 1913-2005

PLUEGER, WESTHOFF, WINTER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/24/2008 at 20:28:17

MERRILL, Iowa -- Elmer G.L. Plueger, 91, of Merrill passed away Sunday, May 15, 2005, at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars, Iowa.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill, with the Rev. Dr. Klaus Raab officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, with military rites conducted by American Legion Oleson-Halweg Post 125 of Merrill. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. Thursday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service Friday at the church.

Elmer George Louis Plueger was born Oct. 8, 1913, in Grant Township, Plymouth County, Iowa, to Theodore and Kathrine (Westhoff) Plueger. He attended country school in Grant Township and later assisted his parents on the family farm.

He and Bernice Mary Winter were united in marriage on Sept. 28, 1940, at her parents' home near Hinton, Iowa. He was first employed with Plymouth County Co-op Oil Company in Le Mars. In 1942, the couple moved to Merrill. On March 31, 1944, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He served overseas in the Pacific Theater as a radio operator. He was honorably discharged in 1946, having attained the rank of Tech. 5.

He returned to Merrill following World War II. He then began his work with Farmer's Co-op in Hinton. He retired in 1978. The couple remained in Merrill until moving to Park Place Estates in Le Mars in January 2002. Bernice passed away July 30, 2002. He remained at Park Place until moving to Plymouth Manor Care Center on Jan. 28, 2003.

He was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill, where he held various offices including past president of the congregation, Sunday school superintendent and he sang in the choir. He was a member of American Legion Oleson-Halweg Post 125. Many will remember him as an accomplished vocalist who sang at numerous weddings and funerals in the area. He also served on the Merrill school board.

He will be lovingly remembered by two sons and their wives, Louis and Patricia of Circle Pines, Minn., and Larry and Cheryl of Merrill; five grandsons, Brett and his wife, Joni, Jaysen and his wife, Donna, Joshua and his wife, Rebecca, Joel and his fiancee, Sara Ruether and her son, Zachery, and John and his special friend, Sarah Roche; two great-grandsons, Carter and Bryson; a great-stepgranddaughter, Brenna; and two sisters-in-law, Annie Henning of Le Mars, and Gladys Taylor of Brunsville, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bernice; sisters, Clara Haage, Louise Plueger and Regina Heeren; and brothers, Fred J.H., Charlie T.G., Dick, Edward and Clarence.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal
~Part of the Darrell E. Obituary Collection