Janis Plisis, 89, Williams Bay passed away Feb. 5, at his home at Williams Bay Care Center in Williams Bay.
Janis was born on April 14, 1923 in the village of Alsviki, Latvia, to the late Augusts and Nelda (Grava) Plisis.
As a young man in Latvia, Janis was a star track and field athlete, specializing in the decathlon. He would have represented his country of Latvia at the 1940 Olympics had the country not been illegally occupied by the Soviet Union.
Along with his wife, Milda and their two children, Edite and Ojars, they immigrated to the United States on June 16, 1951. The family became citizens in Nov. of 1957. He had a great love of family and country and inspired those around him.
He is survived by his daughter, Rita (Wayne) Hawk of Dousman; grandchildren, Matthew Hawk, Stacy (Ryan) Sherman, Erin Plisis, Amee (Dennis) Yakes and LeeAnna (Jay) Wood; great-grandchildren, Alissa, Adam, Kayla, Emily, Riley and Nikolas; son-in-law, Robert Carter and daughter-in-law Linda Plisis. Also surviving are nieces and nephews. He is further preceded in death by his wife Milda; daughter, Edite; son, Ojars; brothers, Pauls and Voldis and sister, Elza Zervins.
Memorial services were Feb. 9 at the United Church of Christ, Williams Bay. Memorials may be made to the United Church of Christ.
Monroe Funeral Home in Delavan assisted the family. Visit monroefh.com
