Jean Marie Plueger, 72, of La Crosse passed away Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, after battling numerous health conditions, with her family by her side.
Jean was born June 29, 1942, to Clarence and Evelyn (Dahl) Knudsen in Arlington, S.D. She was united in marriage to her best friend, Ron Plueger, on June 20, 1959, at Grace Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, Minn.
Jean spent her younger years beside Ron and their family in the Lake Benton and Tyler, Minn., areas. After living in Minnesota and Iowa, the family settled down to call the Coulee Region their home for the past 30-plus years.
Jean’s number-one priority was taking care of the family that she so loved. Raising her four children – the late Julie Plueger, the late Rhonda Powell, Craig Plueger and Brian Plueger – was what gave her the most joy. She worked beside her husband Ron in the family business, Pine Valley Meats Inc., until they sold it in 1995. She enjoyed the many trips to Las Vegas with family and friends and could be found playing her favorite game, blackjack, earning her the name “Blackjack Jean.” She loved to coordinate and cook for family events and was always known for her famous “Death by Chocolate” dessert. When not taking trips to Las Vegas or entertaining friends and family, you could always find her supporting her son Craig at his Elvis shows. Her infectious laugh and contagious smile will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her husband, Ron, of 55 years; her children, Craig (special friend Basia Wojdyla) Plueger of La Crosse and Brian Plueger of La Crosse; six grandchildren, Dustin (Molly) Powell of Tomah, Bobbi (Dan) Nading of Sparta, Lacee (fiancé Ben Leis) Navrestad of Sparta, Chelsy (Eric) Greil of Appleton, Collin (special friend Ally Von Haden) Plueger of Sparta and Tyler Plueger of Sparta; five great-grandchildren, Evan, Eli, Parker, Hudson and Sawyer; a brother, Dave (Deb) Knudsen; two brothers-in-law, Robert (Barb) Plueger and Jimmy (Deb) Plueger; two sisters-in-law, Shirley (Keith) Renkly and Deanna Knudsen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her daughters, Julie Plueger and Rhonda Powell; her parents, Clarence and Evelyn Knudsen; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Roy and Elva Plueger; her brother, LeRoy Knudsen; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation Friday from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
