Early Tuesday morning of February 7, 2017, Patty Plekkenpol, age 70, passed peacefully at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee, MN. She was a resident of Shakopee, formerly of Carver, MN.
A time of gathering will be held on Monday, February 13 from 4-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee. Patty will be laid to rest with her son, Adam at a private burial held at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Chaska, MN.
The parents of Joseph and Lorraine (Koelfgen) Poppler welcomed into their arms a daughter, they named Patricia Ann, born on January 27, 1947 in Waconia, MN. The third of six children, she grew up in the rural area of East Union, MN, with one cow and a few chickens. Patty was proud to be the milkman’s daughter…literally…for her dad was the area milkman. She relished the days riding along with her father on the route. From sun up, to sun down, Patty and her siblings enjoyed being outside exploring. She enjoyed coming home from school and devouring her mother’s fresh homemade bread. Patty remembers keeping warm in the bed with hot bricks wrapped in towels and those nasty perms. The most memorable moments were spent at her grandparent’s cabin swimming, fishing and being with other family.
In 1965, Patty graduated from Chaska High School. She entered the work force at Pillsbury as a receptionist for a few years. It was Patty’s career as a city clerk that gave her the most pride and sense of accomplishment. First working for the City of Chaska for 4 years, Patty moved to the neighboring town of Carver. For the next 30 years, she became very knowledgeable and active in government affairs and serving on boards and committees. Everyone knew Patty Plekkenpol by name.
On November 13, 1969, Patty married Wallace Plekkenpol. Eventually, they settled their roots in Carver. Patty and Wally were blessed with four children, Kari, Adam, Beth and Anistasia. Her heart was saddened when Adam passed (January 1976) at only a few months old. As a family, they enjoyed visiting the family cabin. Here the children looked forward to cold cut sandwiches, Twizzlers and enjoyed all the activities of cabin life. They liked attending the county fairs, visiting relatives and the family butchering, cutting wood and pie making gatherings. Unfortunately, Patty and Wally parted ways after 25 years of marriage.
Through the years, Patty enjoyed crocheting and knitting afghans for her family. Patty captured the family history first through photo albums and later through scrape booking. She enjoyed NASCSAR, hot rod cars and working in the vegetable garden. Patty too loved to cheer on all the Minnesota sporting teams, playing turkey bingo at the holidays and sipping on a cup of coffee while listening to the loons. Patty could be found in the kitchen with a dish towel over her shoulder as she cooked.
Patty’s greatest joy was being a grandmother to Bryon, Mikayla, Joshua and Jordan. She loved and adored each one. Patty raised Bryon and taught him life lessons, especially the knack of cooking. She would say. “Mikayla is my favorite granddaughter,” (oh wait…her only granddaughter), who she protected. Patty too traveled south to Kentucky, a few times a year to visit her grandsons, Joshua and Jordan. She was so patient with the boys and relished every moment spent with them.
Patty retired in 2012 and in 2013 was diagnosed with cancer. She kicked a 50-year tobacco habit and beat the cancer odds for about 18 months, before the cancer returned. Patty was a role model to her family. She had such a giving, caring and loving heart. Patty loved everyone unconditionally. Her home was always open to you with a meal and a place to lay your head. One of her favorite lines of advice ‘calm down and think about the other side.’
Patty is survived by children, Kari (Guy) Jones, Beth (Saul) Enriquez, Anistasia Plekkenpol; grandchildren, Bryon Plekkenpol, Mikayla Enriquez, Joshua Jones, Jordan Jones; siblings, Betty Werb, Dennis Poppler, Barb (Peter) Cook, Donna (Steve) Wherley, Patrick (Stephanie) Poppler; many relatives and friends.
There to welcome Patty home in heaven was her infant son, Adam Plekkenpol and parents, Joseph and Lorraine Poppler.
