Joan M. Ploetz
Joan M. Ploetz , Age 75
Joan M. Ploetz passed away peacefully on Oct. 20, 2022 at St. Clare Hospice House in Baraboo, Wisconsin after battling pancreatic cancer for 14 months.
Joan was born August 28, 1947 in Danville, Pa. Her parents, Leonard H. & Emily G. Ploetz, subsequently settled in Baraboo, owners of Ploetz Furniture.
Joan graduated from UW-Madison with a B.S degree in Math and then continued her education with four graduate degrees: M.S. in Math from Indiana University, M.S in Statistics from the University of Kentucky, a MBA in Finance from Wharton School of Business & lastly a M.A in Fine Arts at the University of Southern California.
Her career began in retailing at Shillito's (now Macy's) department store in Cincinnati, where she soon was promoted to buyer. After several years, she changed industries to pursue banking.
She started at Chemical Bank in Manhattan where she was in the corporate lending department. She then worked for Wells Fargo Bank in Chicago and Security Pacific Bank in California. She returned to Baraboo to run the family furniture business and take care of her aging parents.
Joan loved to travel, eat at good restaurants, tour museums, and attend Broadway plays. She loved her east coast visits for every holiday with her family. She was a very kind, generous & gentle person.
Her family was everything to her. She is survived by her sister Kathy (Steve) Riepenhoff of Skillman, NJ, Godson and nephew Matthew (Katherine) Riepenhoff of Neshanic Station, NJ and niece Courtney (Whitney) Doucette of Wilton, CT, great niece, Callie and great nephew, Quinn.
She will be forever missed.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Joans name to St. Clare Hospice House 915 12th St., Baraboo, WI. 53913
Visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 at 10am at St Joseph's Catholic Church followed by Mass at 11 am and Christian burial.
Streaming for the service is available on Facebook. St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Baraboo, WI. The Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Condolences
Sharon Leonhardt Scheinost October 24, 2022
Friend Owen , Wisconsin
Dear Kathy, Steve and family. I took care of your parents in their home and loved them. After they passed I did housekeeping for Joan. We went out to eat together or watched movies together. You are correct about her love for fine food. It showed in the number of cookbooks she has. Your parents will be happy to have her with them. God bless you and your family as you finalize Joan's affairs and celebrate her life. I know you will miss your only sister and your children will miss their aunt. Your children were children she never had. My sincerest sympathy. Sharon Leonhardt Scheinost
Carolyn & David Dallmann October 25, 2022
classmate Baraboo , Wisconsin
We were so sad to hear about Joan. She was a smart, bright classmate. I saw Joan off and on over the years. She always went out of her way to stop and talk. She was delightful! Our deepest sympathy to Joan's family and friends.
Janelle Gomon Owens October 25, 2022
friend MADISON , Wisconsin
My deepest condolences to you as the family members of Joan Ploetz. She was a delightful girl in high school and a very intelligent, fun loving lady. I enjoyed seeing her at class reunions. She lived a full and fascinating life and yet she has been taken way too soon. May she be at peace now knowing others cared a great deal for her. May you find peace in that she is pain free and with Our Lord.
Gloria (Dahl) Lovely October 25, 2022
High School Friend sun prairie
I am so sorry to hear this. She was such a lovely person and we had so many good times and laughter together. Bless her family!
Kathy Ostrom October 28, 2022
cousin Vashon , Washington
Joan, You were the best gift giver of anyone I know. We still use the Cousances and Revereware pots you selected for our wedding 41 years ago every day and think of you often. We were very sorry to hear of your illness. Kathy, this must be a great loss to you and your family. You have our deepest condolences. Cousin Kathy Ann and Doug
Ginger Martin Brown October 30, 2022
Friend Greensboro , North Carolina
Such a devastating loss! Kathy and family, I am so sorry to hear of this. Joan and I were great friends and had many good times at your house on 8th. However, even further back, I remember Joan came over to my house for lunch after morning kindergarten at West School. We never got to eat lunch though, because she was so worried about and missed you so that she cried and my mom took her home. That would have been 1952 or so. So you have always had a true and loving sister. Such an exceptional person. I am so glad to have kept in touch with Joan over the years, even meeting her for dinner a couple of times here in North Carolina when she came to attend the High Point Furniture Market. God Bless Joan and praise that her pain is gone.
Lyn Gradoville November 02, 2022
IU Graduate school friend North Haven , Connecticut
So sad to hear this!! Joan was such a good friend- all began at IU long ago but we kept in touch all these many years. Dear friends like Joan are not forgotten🥰
Cynthia Hotman November 02, 2022
graduate school friend Plano , Texas
I knew Joan at Indiana University and last saw her at our reunion in Colorado. Cancer is a terrible disease. My deepest sympathy to her familyl.
Pat Lindner November 02, 2022
College classmate Sedalia CO 80135 , Colorado
Joan was always a positive joyful person in my experiences with her through the years since meeting at IU. I was honored by her being in my wedding. My sympathy to all of the family—I know you meant the world to her.
Kathy Barga November 04, 2022
IU grad school friend Dayton , Ohio
Joan was a great friend in our little IU family. We all just bonded, had dinners together, had wonderful times with each other in Eigenmann dorm, always a lot of laughs. Was it that we all had a common drive to study hard (we did!) or was it our great sense of humor? Both, for sure! Such fun! Will miss her positive, practical and fun personality. So glad to have met her mother and to have reconnected/visited in the 2000's. Our sincere sympathy to her family. Kathy & Mike Barga
Marcia Morgan November 04, 2022
Friend Evansville , Indiana
We were friends from Bloomington, Indiana days at grad school. Not only was she beautiful she also was kind and gracious and fun. And wow, she must have been so smart - a Math major! We send our condolences to the family.