Elmer J. Plachecki, 88, St. Cloud

October 22, 1927 - January 4, 2016

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 7, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud, for Elmer J. Plachecki, 88, of St. Cloud, who died January 4, 2016. The Reverend Robert Rolfes will officiate. Burial with Military Honors will be in Assumption Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud, and from 10:00 – 11:00 AM on Thursday at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church.

Elmer was born on October 22, 1927, in St. Cloud, to Joseph and Clara (Henz) Plachecki. Elmer was in the Merchant Marines and a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the US Army from 1951-1953. He married Audrey Stommes at St. Mary’s Cathedral on July 23, 1960. Elmer started and finished his professional career working for Klein Motors which spanned 48 years. He was passionate about selling cars and loved his customers. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, Eagles Aerie #622, American Legion Post 76, VFW Post 428; Elmer was a past president, and received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from the St. Cloud Lions Club. Elmer was a greeter for the St. Cloud Convention and Visitors Bureau. He loved having morning coffee with the guys.

Elmer is survived by his wife Audrey of St. Cloud; daughter Maryann (Tom) Schaefer of Maplewood and their daughters Andrea and Natalie; daughter Lisa Landowski of St. Cloud and her sons Corey and Brandon; sister Lorraine “Toots” Skuza.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Special thanks to the staff of St. Croix Hospice. Guests are invited to wear red in honor of Elmer’s favorite color.