Fred R. Plondke

Fred R. "Duke" Plondke, age 85, of Bagley, passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, February 10, 2020, at Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. He was born on May 14, 1934, the son of Adolph and Maxine (Houghton) Plondke. Duke graduated from Bagley High School in 1952. Upon graduation, he played in a baseball league for the Wyalusing State Park. Duke enlisted in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne Division as a combat engineer at Ft. Jackson and Ft. Bragg. He married Irene L. Heisz in 1964. Duke was employed with the Burlington Northern Railroad that traveled through Bagley and later for FS in Prairie du Chien. He also assisted in coaching "Duke's Boys," during the summers. Duke took pride in his part-time job working for the Bloomington Village. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being in nature. Duke was a fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Wisconsin Badgers. He was a member of the Liscum Brothers American Legion Post No. 482 of Bagley. Duke dearly loved spending time with his grandchildren and telling his many stories.
Survivors include his children: Dan (Becky), Theresa (Todd) Mathison, Julie (Eric) Fuller; 10 grandchildren: Dakota, Ashley, Bailey Plondke, Marissa Plondke, Savannah (John) Jones, Zach (Megan Fortun), Katie (Bryce Crowley), Skylar Mathison; Nicole (Cody Sperry), Jenna Fuller; two sisters: Doris Jones and Helen Horstman; a special niece, Sarah (Matt) Sorenson, and many more family members.
In addition to his parents, Duke was preceded in death by his son, Scott; a brother, Harold; a brother-in-law, Lawrence "Bud" Jones.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory, 512 Canal Street, Bloomington, with Reverend Pamela Strakeljahn officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Bagley Cemetery, Bagley. Family and friends may call on Friday, February 14, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
"Let me tell you one thing…Katy Bar the Door."