Gerald Robert Plahn was born in Sleepy Eye on September 5, 1937, the son of Harold and Althea (Krienke) Plahn. He grew up in Sleepy Eye, graduating from Sleepy Eye Public School in 1955. He then attended and graduated from Mankato State University. After a short residence in St. Paul, Gerry moved back to his hometown of Sleepy Eye where he would spend the rest of his life.
On February 9, 1968, Gerry married Carole Judith Keller at Faith United Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye. Gerry and Carole had three children and enjoyed over 55 years together.
Gerry worked at Del Monte as the Human Resource Manager for more than 30 years until his retirement in 1999. He served his community in several positions including as a volunteer firefighter for 23 years as well as working as a bailiff for Brown County District Court and as a weed inspector for the City of Sleepy Eye. He was an active member of Faith United Methodist Church. In his free time, Gerry enjoyed fishing, hunting with his muzzle loader, wood working, collecting antiques and coins, gardening, coloring, watching Westerns, baking cookies and breads that he shared with those around him, and spending time with family. He had the gift of gab and loved talking with anyone who would listen. He also loved joking around with others.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Harold and Althea Plahn; sister, Karen (Plahn) Soby; and his mother and father-in-law, Eleanor and Stanley Keller.
Gerald is survived by his loving wife, Carole (Keller) Plahn of Sleepy Eye, MN; daughter, Kristine (Jeffrey) Wurtzberger of Buffalo, MN; sons, Brian (Katherine) Plahn of Lyons, CO and Derek (Liese) Plahn of Blaine, MN; and four grandchildren, Jordan Wurtzberger, Nicole Wurtzberger, Elizabeth Jonjak-Plahn, and Colton Jonjak-Plahn.