in memoriam
expanded eulogies
Jerry Plett
Graveside services for Jerry Don Plett, of Lincolnville, who died Monday on his 84th birthday at St. Luke Hospital in Marion, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Springfield Cemetery, south of Lehigh on K-15.
Friends are invited to pay their respects to Jerry from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, Marion.
He was born April 27, 1936, to Dan and Rose Plett of Lehigh. Jerry graduated from Lehigh Rural High School in 1954 and was led by his church traditions to be a conscientious objector regarding active military service. He served his country at the Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver from 1956 to 1957 as a subject of an experiment in dehydrated foods for service members in the field of battle.
After his discharge, he began a 64-year farming career around Lehigh and farmed at Lincolnville after 1964.
Despite encountering health problems in September 2018 and undergoing a hip replacement a year ago, he continued a Hereford cattle operation until his death.
His wife, Rowena Lavonne Seibel, was a student at Tabor College when they met. They were married on June 11, 1966, at Garden Park Mennonite Brethren Church in Denver.
They raised six children: Candace Krebs of Enid, Oklahoma, Dawn (and husband Donnie) Hett of Marion, Angie (and husband Matt) Ehlers of Superior, Nebraska, Pam (and husband Richard) Idleman of Herington, Jason (and wife Amy) Plett of Lincolnville, and Josh (and wife Renae) Plett of Hillsboro. He has 14 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, with four on the way.
Jerry’s greatest desire was that his children and grandchildren would have fulfilling marriage relationships and loving families. He taught them to appreciate the truly important things, and they held him in high esteem.
In the eyes of his family, Jerry had a unique personality. He was a spiritual person who sought out wisdom and understanding and unpretentiously shared what he learned both with family and in everyday contact with people. He lived conscientiously and set a high standard for himself in discipline, hard work, and honesty in dealings with others.
His greatest regret was not living to see the fulfillment of God’s promise of a new world filled with truth and justice.
Jerry has three siblings: Bob (and wife Eileen) Plett of Reedley, California, Joan Duerksen of Newton, and Carol Jantz (and companion Bob Wright) of Highlands Park, Colorado. He is preceded in death by brother-in-law Willis Duerksen.
Memorial contributions in Jerry’s name may be directed to the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation in care of the funeral home. Please sign his online guest book and leave a memory of Jerry at www.ymzfh.com