Ernest "Ernie" G. Pleiss, Sr.
March 1, 1924 — October 13, 2018
Ernest "Ernie" G. Pleiss, Sr.
Ernie was born in Mankato on March 1, 1924, to Mercedes “Sadie” (Ulmen) and George A. Pleiss. He was the oldest of three children. Ernie graduated from Loyola High School in 1942 and enlisted in the United States Navy immediately upon high school graduation. He served in the Navy for six years and was a proud veteran of WWII, serving on the USS Cascade and USS Kwajalein. In 2014 he was able to visit the WWII Memorial as a member of the Honor Flight Program. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he married Charlotte Marie Malecha on June 23, 1951. Together they raised seven children, primarily in Mankato. Ernie was a dedicated auto mechanic for most of his working years. He enjoyed working in his garage to help family, friends, and neighbors with their vehicles. After retiring as a mechanic, Ernie worked at Woolworth’s before fully retiring from the work world. In retirement, Ernie and Charlotte enjoyed many years as live-in caretakers for the home of Lowell and Nadine Andreas.
Ernie had a very kind heart and was often lending a hand to help someone in need. He had a great sense of humor and always had a joke or one-liner for a listening ear. He loved riding his motorcycle, camping, parades, a rousing game of Pfeffer, VFW steak fries, dancing, polkas, old-time country music, and happy hour. In his later years, he could often be seen driving his mobility scooter around his neighborhood in the hilltop area. He was a proud lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Charlotte, his daughter Joan (Pleiss) Marzinske, son-in-law Jack Brooks, brother-in-law Jim Tichenor, granddaughter Sarah, and an infant son.
He is survived by his brother Joseph (Arleen) Pleiss, sister MaryAnn Tichenor; children Jenny Wagner, Connie (Mark) Lere, Nancy Pleiss Brooks, Patrick (Charlene) Pleiss, JR Pleiss, Mike (Emily) Pleiss, and Tanya Ramstad; grandchildren Greg (Gretchen), Jacob (Jen) and Tim Wagner, Kevin and Jason Brooks, Eric (Laura), Paul (Marjorie), Grant and Luke Pleiss, Abigail and Nick Pleiss, Tom (Amanda) and Addeline Marzinske, Sadie (Nick) Hoekendorf, and Kima (Brian) Yandell; great grandchildren, Leo and Jack Wagner, Clara and Levi Wagner, Kayden Marzinske, Shayne and Mia Hoekendorf, Katalina Yandell; and many extended family members and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 19, 2018, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mankato. Visitation will be from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at the church on Friday. Burial with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery immediately after the service. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon reception at the church following burial.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Legion.
Dad lived a full and happy life and as he often said “No Regrets”.
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