Raymond Plantz

 Raymond Arnold Plantz, age 80 of Ely, died October 19, 2024.

Ray was born November  20, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois to Raymond and Violet (Dobersch) Plantz. After graduating from  Elmwood Park High School, he attended and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in education. While there, he met and married his bride of 59 years, Jayne (Klemeyer). He taught and coached in Illinois for a few years before moving to Ely, his true home. In Ely he taught and coached, worked in the outfitting business and eventually started working for  Potlatch. He took great pride in his career as it grew with Potlatch, eventually working as a division human resource manager.  

Ray’s smile and laugh have been appreciated by many, but loved most by his family. He was a patient, humorous, and generous father. His life lessons often came in the form of quips,  and his heart was unending for his children and grandchildren.  Ray will be remembered for his love of the outdoors, spending his free time fishing, hunting and golfing. He shared these times with many family and friends. “Just one more drift.”  

Ray is survived by his wife Jayne; twin brother Roy, of Istanbul; sister Pam (Terry)  Murphy, of Phoenix; his children: Chuck (Mary Lou) Plantz, Dickie Plantz, Bill Plantz, Kate 
 (Rob) Besemann, Beth (Mark) McKenna, Anna (Ted) Krueger; grandchildren: Brent, Brian  (Sarah), Jason, Rakesh, John (Hailey), Bryson, Aubree, Ian, Gus, Oliver, Ashlynn, Oscar,  Gordon, Arnold, and Tallulah; first great-grandson on the way; and numerous extended family and friends. 

There will be a celebration of life at a later date. 

Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.

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