Jeffrey Jesse Ploetz, age 59, of Pickwick, Minnesota, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026.
Jeff was born on August 31, 1966, in Wabasha, Minnesota, to Francis and Greta (Shea) Ploetz. He grew up on the family farm in Utica. Jeff loved the farm and enjoyed tractor pulls, playing pool, and time with family and friends.
On October 26, 1996, Jeff married Stacey Larson at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Winona and together they had two boys, Mitchell and Aaron. Stacey and the boys meant the world to him, and he never missed a chance to let you know how proud he was of them. Jeff took great joy in watching Mitchell and Aaron, along with their teammates, compete in cross-country running, skiing, and track. After Mitchell graduated from high school and moved to Alaska, Jeff especially cherished his visits there, where he could see firsthand the life Mitchell had built for himself. He was also very proud of Aaron, who earned his NREMT certification during his senior year of high school. Jeff looked forward with excitement to Aaron beginning further training as a firefighter this fall.
Many people were blessed to call Jeff their friend. If you needed a tool, he probably had it. Not only would he borrow it to you, he would show up and help with the project too. Jeff taught archery for Winona County 4-H for several years and enjoyed taking teams to the state tournament. He was also a member of the Ridgeway and Pickwick Volunteer Fire Departments where he proudly served the community he called home. “Plutzy” would do anything for his friends and loved them all like family. Jeff was employed by Fastenal for 35 years. Most of that time he spent fixing tools and driving trucks – two of his favorite things. He was always busy and on the go in his black VW Bug, but he always had time to stop and visit whenever he ran into a familiar face.
Jeff is survived by his loving wife, Stacey and their two sons, Mitchell and Aaron. He also had a special relationship with his nephews Josh (Tracy) Ploetz, Jason Ploetz, Mike Pomeroy and Matt Pomeroy. Jeff is further survived by his father and mother-in-law Jim and Pam Larson, brother-in-law Allen Larson, sister-in-law Shannon (Josh) Merchlewitz, nephews Tucker and Ethan (Sydney) Merchlewitz and nieces Karissa and Autumn Merchlewitz, his brothers Maurice (Judy) Ploetz and Scott Ploetz, his aunts Marlene Ploetz, Marge Kingsley and Jeanine Jostock; and many other family and friends.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Francis and Greta and his niece Stephanie Ploetz.
A funeral service for Jeff will be held on Friday, June 12 at 6 p.m. at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Winona. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. prior to the service, and fellowship will follow afterward in the church hall. Jeff will be laid to rest on Saturday June 13 at 10:30 a.m. in Hillside Cemetery in St. Charles where there will be a short graveside service. All family and friends are welcome to attend.
The family would like to request that you share a favorite memory or story about Jeff by going to the Hoff Funeral Home Website www.hofffuneral.com and signing the guestbook. They plan to use the stories they receive to create a memory book of their dad.
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