'Bert' A. Placke

Norbert A. “Bert” Placke, 86, of St. Libory, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Libory’s Catholic Church in St. Libory. The Revs. Sidney Bruggeman and Richard Piontkowski will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. parish rosary.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Libory Catholic Cemetery or Friends of Paplin.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Bert was born on Oct. 30, 1934, on the family farm near St. Libory, the son of William F. and Kathryn V. (Zauha) Placke.

He attended St. Libory’s parochial school and was a 1952 graduate of St. Paul High School. After completing his education, he farmed with his father.

He was united in marriage to Ramona R. Kuszak on Jan. 5, 1957, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church at Paplin. The couple lived, raised their family and farmed northeast of St. Libory, their entire married life. Over the years, Bert also worked at the Sugar Beet Factory, Cornhusker Army Ammunitions Plant, Swift, Nutreena Feeds and the Lutheran Hospital, all in Grand Island.

He was a lifetime member of St. Libory’s Catholic Church, having served on the parish council and sexton of the parish cemetery. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1918 of St. Paul.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ramona of St. Libory; eleven children and spouses, Sheri and Tom Smith of Central City, Laurie and Bruce Schepler of Wilcox, Lonnie and Bobbi Placke of St. Paul, David Placke of Alba, TX, Kathy and David Allgood of Holly Springs, NC, Jim and Sandra Placke of Austin, TX, Dennis and Donna Placke of St. Libory, Lisa and Ryan Jerabek of Farwell, Russ and Diane Placke of Omaha, Mike and Penny Placke of Valparaiso, and Keith and Kimberly Placke of Lee’s Summit, MO; 25 grandchildren, Brandi Smith, Kevin Smith, Jessica and Curtis Heinsen, Matthew Schepler, Dillon Placke, Wyatt Placke, Whitney Placke, Addison Allgood, Jennings Allgood, Justin Allgood, Elliot Placke, Evan Placke, Joe Placke, Brendan Placke, John Placke, Andrew Jerabek, Austin and Tia Jerabek, Tahya Jerabek, Mark Bakhit, Josh Bakhit, Colton Placke, Ashton Placke, Reece Placke, Tagen Placke and Bennett Placke; one great-grandson, Hank Jerabek; sister, Marilyn Retzlaff of Doniphan; brother and sisters-in-law, Don and Jan Placke of Central City and Marilyn Placke of St. Libory.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Aaron Allgood; sisters and brothers-in-law, Virginia Placke, Veronica “Dot” and Lawrence Jacobsen and Bill Retzlaff; and brother, William A. Placke.