Don Plekenpol, 64, of Irving, Texas, and formerly of Sheboygan and Cascade, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013.
Don was born in Sheboygan on March 23, 1949, to Bernice (Stern) and Loyal Plekenpol. He welcomed his second father when Bernice married Norbert Sternitzky in 1972.
He resided in Cascade, and was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
He was in the first class to graduate from both, Cascade Elementary School in 1963 and Plymouth High School in 1967. He was active in sports, school plays, and was President of his senior class. He was an Eagle rank in Boy Scouts and Lodge Chief in the Order of the Arrow.
Don then continued his education and graduated from Valparaiso University in 1971. He wanted to fly planes and follow in Loyal’s footsteps by being a military pilot. However, lingering high school sports injuries forced him out of the U.S. Navy ROTC program; so his son, Christopher, carried the Plekenpol name back into the military as a distinguished U.S. Army captain and combat company commander.
When Don entered Valparaiso he planned on becoming a pastor, but things changed. He went from Valparaiso University to IBM, in New York City, where the New York Jets were one of his early customers. Chris has since taken Don’s place by becoming a pastor of the small, but rapidly growing Wells Branch Community Church in Austin, Texas.
Don was currently employed at Usability Sciences Corporation in Irving, Texas. For 16 years, he was president of his own IT consulting company, Webify Inc. From 1971-96, he had a distinguished career with IBM in multiple positions in the United States, Asia and Europe.
He is survived by his son Christopher and wife Adrienne, and 4-month-old grandson, Austin, who reside in Austin, Texas; his wife Virginia whom he married in 1997; Chris’s mother JoAnne Plekenpol of Trophy Club, Texas, whom he married in 1975; his stepfather Norbert Sternitzky of Sheboygan; his brother David and wife Arnita Plekenpol of Oostburg; his aunt June (Gib) Sternitzky of Howards Grove; his cousin Mary Sternitzky of Brooklyn, Wis.; his nephews Jonathan Plekenpol and special friend Kelly Schwanke of Sheboygan, Matthew Fillebrown and wife Jessie of Appleton, Jason Fillebrown and wife Tina of Sugar Grove, Ill., and Heath Fillebrown and wife Rachel of Whitewater; and eight young grand nieces and nephews (plus one on the way) and a world full of friends made throughout his life.
He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, co-worker, and on and on. Don will be greatly missed by all his family and friends. He was deeply loved.
He was preceded in his journey to heaven to be with his Lord, by his father Loyal in 1950, his mother Bernice in 2005 and his grandparents Irene and Louis Stern and Mabel and Lester Plekenpol.
He was a forceful presence, and the “go-to-guy,” he had all the answers. He could build or fix anything and loved to do both. He was generous, loyal, and dependable. He was a die-hard American and Republican, and proud of it. He loved cars (especially his MG’s), sports car racing, golf, and was a devout Green Bay Packers fan. The team he loved most was his family. His last visit to Wisconsin was for the Fourth of July 2013 and we are so grateful he had a chance to come home to Idl-A-Yl before Jesus called him home.
Texas visitation and memorial service was Sept. 25 at Irving Bible Church, Irving, Texas.
Wisconsin memorial services will be held 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov 2, at the Wenig Funeral Home, 108 Center Ave., Oostburg, followed by family visitation and luncheon. Burial will be in Union Cemetery in the Town of Holland.
The family has requested that donations in lieu of flowers be sent to Wells Branch Community Church, c/o Chris Plekenpol, www.wellsbranchchurch.com or the church of your choice.
For online condolences and additional information, please visit www.wenigfuneralhome.com.
The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg is serving the Plekenpol family.
