William R. Plantenberg

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 3, 2008 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for William  R. Plantenberg, age 87, of St. Cloud who died Sunday, December 30, 2007. Fr. Thomas  Knoblach will officiate.  Entombment will be in Assumption Cemetery.
Family and friends may call from 4:00-8:00 PM Wednesday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud, and 10:00-11:00 AM Thursday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 7:00 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home in St. Cloud.
Bill was born February 25, 1920 in Cold Spring to John and Barbara (Knaus) Plantenberg.  Bill married Katherine Barrus on October 24, 1942 in Staples, MN. He worked at Franklin Manufacturing as a tool and die repairman for 32 years, retiring in 1981. He formed Little Willie’s Dance Band in 1941; Bill (Willie) enjoyed playing trumpet, trombone, and leading the band for forty years. Bill was a past member of the Eagles, the Knights of Columbus, the Musician’s Union and was a 50-year member of the International Association of Machinist’s Union. The home he and Kay created was filled with love, laughter, and music among family, friends, and relatives. Bill’s  faith, courage, and positive attitude will continue to be an inspiration to his family.
Bill is survived by children, Barbara (Bill) Stender, John (Patty), Thomas (Diane), Martin (Gretchen), Thea (Mark) Stockinger, Mary Kay (Mark) Ahles; seventeen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; brother,Jerry (Ardell);sister-in-law, Rosemary (Norb)Ebnet.
Preceding him in death are his parents, his wife Katherine, infant daughter Mary Margaret; three brothers and four sisters.
Bill’s family wishes to express their special thanks to the staff of St. Benedict’s Senior Community for their loving care and friendship over the last seven years.
Memorials are preferred to St. Benedict’s Senior Community.