Marilyn Ann Placke

Marilyn A. Placke, 92, of St. Libory, died unexpectedly Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, while attending Mass at St. Libory’s Catholic Church in St. Libory.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, at St. Libory’s Catholic Church in St. Libory. The Rev. Sidney Bruggeman will celebrate the Mass and be assisted by her brother-in-law, Deacon Don Placke. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

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

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

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

Marilyn was born on June 13, 1932, on the family farm northwest of St. Paul in the Midway area, the daughter of Anton J. and Anna E. (Nosal) Matousek. She attended District No. 27 Howard County rural school through the 8th grade. She was the St. Paul High School’s first Coronation queen and graduated from St. Paul High School in 1950. After graduating she worked as a telephone operator in St. Paul.

She was united in marriage to William A. Placke, Jr. on Oct. 11, 1952, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The couple farmed near St. Libory and Marilyn was involved with Placke Melon Stand for over 70 years, and was very proud of her association with the St. Libory Watermelon Days. Bill died on Jan. 9, 1998, and she continued to live on the farm the rest of her life.

She was a member of the St. Libory’s Catholic Church for over 70 years and was very involved with the CCW having served as the funeral dinner director for many years. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 120 of Palmer and Catholic Daughters of America Sacred Heart Court 1215 of St. Paul.

She is survived by her seven children, Joanie Gauthier and Jerry Dixon of Dannebrog, Jerry and Melissa Placke of St. Libory, Shelli and Bill Garrett of Hampton, Gene and Kay Placke of St. Libory, Rod and Kim Placke of St. Libory, Dan and Leslie Placke of Cheyenne, WY and Darin and Karen Placke of Grand Island; 26 grandchildren, Tiffanie and Joe Dowd, Ryan Mohler and Susan Moser, Shannon and Jamie Placke, Simon and Lisa Placke, Ben and Lacey Placke, Tony and Sarah Placke, Jennifer Negrete and Jon Smith, Vincent and Nicole Placke, Jeremy and Cori Garrett, Jason and Mary Garrett, Lindsay and Shane Van Pelt, Adam and Cassie Placke, Sarah and Tim Paisley, Andrew and Fannye Placke, Melanie Placke and Cam Garrett, Staci and Erik Mrkvicka, Andrea and Matt Zulkoski, Angelena Smith, Dalton Placke and Tarra Janitschek, Thomas Cardwell, Shelby and Jesse Duncan, Haley and Troy Bainter, Kylee and Zach Legino, Briana Placke, Bishop Placke and Braxton Placke; and 45 great-grandchildren; sister, Virginia Hirschman of St. Paul, brother-in-law, Don and Jan Placke of Central City, and sister-in-law, Marilyn Retzlaff of Doniphan.

In addition to her husband, Bill, she was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Anna Matousek; son-in-law, Dan Gauthier; daughter-in-law, Patricia Placke; granddaughter, Lisa Garrett; grandson, Grant Placke; sister, Charlotte and Bud Miller; brother-in-law, Jim Hirschman; sister-in-law, Virginia Placke; brother-in-law, Bert and Ramona Placke; sister-in-law, Dot and Lawrence Jacobsen; and brother-in-law, Bill Retzlaff.