Thomas Plucker

Thomas "Tom" Plucker (83) passed away peacefully on Friday, July 7 after an incredibly courageous battle with bladder cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family, with his wife Audrey holding his hand, as she had through Tom's 8-month cancer journey and 54 years of marriage. Anyone who knew Tom and Audrey, knew she had her hands full with his mischief, which he maintained until his last breath as he tried to tell hospital staff he was Joe Biden, when asked his name.

Tom was born and raised in Neenah, WI, where he claimed to be known as the "Neenah Flash" due to his athletic quickness. After high school, the self-proclaimed card shark and Point Beer connoisseur managed to earn a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies from the University of WI- Stevens Point.  Upon graduation, he was drafted into the US Army where he worked as a telecommunications operator. While this was not a path, he wanted for himself at the time, he had the opportunity to teach children of service members while stationed in Germany, and his love for teaching was discovered. After discharge Tom earned his teaching certificate and accepted his first job at New Holstein High School where he met and married the cute secretary, Audrey. After earning his Masters in 1970, Tom started teaching at Eau Claire Memorial, where the Social Studies department became some of Tom and Audrey's closest friends, along with his teammates on the Pizza Del Re softball team, and all the families from the "old neighborhood". Outside of the classroom, Tom was an Assistant Coach for Track, Boys Basketball, and in 1975 he became the first Head Girls Basketball Coach at Memorial, where the girls lovingly referred to him as "Pa".

After 33 years of teaching, he retired to spend time doing all the things he loved most; tending his garden, manicuring the yard, feeding the birds, enjoying his dogs, golfing, playing parcheesi at the lake, coaching Special Olympics basketball with his partner in crime Dan Johnson, and most of all fishing. Tom passed his many interests onto his children, Jeff and Jennifer. Tom and Jeff spent many days golfing, watching sports, playing cribbage, debating fantasy football draft picks, and they shared a common interest in "vermin eradication" in the yard. Jennifer inherited Tom's sense of humor (with her mother's tact) and they shared a love of dogs, the outdoors, adventure, the joy of competition and coaching. Tom's biggest joy was watching and supporting his grandchildren in whatever they loved most. He was beyond proud to see Abby and Cami both start graduate school, see Jameson swim like a fish, and watch Sawyer run like the "Neenah Flash" on the lacrosse field. He kept them laughing, and filled to the brim with root-beer floats; he could not have been a better grandpa.

He is survived by his wife Audrey, son Jeff Plucker (Tracy Greiten) of Sussex, daughter Jennifer Punzel (Shane Punzel) of Janesville, grandchildren Abby and Cami Greiten, Jameson and Sawyer Punzel, sisters Joan (David) Ostrowski of Porterfield, WI and Marcia Suprise of Neenah, WI, along with many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Dwight and Mary Plucker of Neenah and in-laws Martin and Marie Woelfel of New Holstein, and his beloved dogs Skeeter, JJ, Gilly, and Sox.

A gathering for family and friends is planned for Sunday, September 17th from 11:00-2:00 at Hickory Hills Golf Course. Packers, Brewers, Bucks, and Badger attire is requested, along with your best stories about Tom so his family and friends can finally set the record straight on Tom's "tall tales". A heartfelt thank you to life-long friends John and Joan Nicholas for being by Tom and Aud's side during the best and worst of days, and all the nursing staff at Marshfield Medical Center that helped treat Tom during his last week of care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Eau Claire County Humane Association earmarked for Tom's Senior Dog Adoption Fund.