Obituary: Frederick “Fred” George Arthur Plehn,

Frederick “Fred” George Arthur Plehn, of Saylesville, died on Monday, March 18, 2013 at Seasons Hospice at the age of 89 years.

He was born in Waukesha on September 5, 1923 the son of Frederick F. and Gertrude (nee Hoppe) Plehn.  He was a 1941 graduate of Waukesha High School and he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1943 until 1946 serving during World War II in Asia. 

On May 28, 1948, he married Ilah Nichols; she preceded him in death on January 22, 2011. Fred was the youngest Waukesha Freeman newspaper carrier and in his earlier years he worked as a lineman for Western Electric.  He also worked as a mason with his father before becoming the co-owner of Plehn Plastering with his cousin. Along with his wife Ilah, they owned and operated the Auction Depot from 1966 until 1986.  Fred was a member of Living Word Lutheran Church, a member of the Waukesha Elk’s Lodge #400 and of the Stenz-Griesell-Smith American Legion Post #449.  Fred had the ability to fix anything and he will always be remembered for his kind nature, sense of humor and contagious smile. 

He will be deeply missed by his children: Jeff (Debbie) Plehn of Elkhorn and Jule (Michael) Groh of Delafield. He was the special grandfather to Mathieu (Lindsay) Groh of London, England Zachary (Karin) Groh of Wauwatosa, and Olivia and Charlotte Plehn of Elkhorn and great-grandfather to Chelsea Groh of London, England.  He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.  In addition to his wife Ilah and his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Loren, Donald and David. 

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Thomas Cantieri, the doctors and nurses on the 4th floor of Waukesha Memorial Hospital and to Touching Hearts Caregivers, especially Robin, Janet and Dori for the special and gentle care provided to Fred.

 Visitation will be held on Friday, March 22, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, 700 Beechwood Avenue, Waukesha. Reverend John Borgwardt will preside.  Burial with full military honors will immediately follow at Prairie Home Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Living Word Lutheran Church Building Fund, 2712 Sussex Lane, Waukesha, WI 53188 or to The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin, 633 W. Main Street Madison, WI 53703.

is honored to serve the family. For further information, please call the funeral home at (262) 547-4035, or visit our website at http://www.waukeshafunerals.comfor directions or to leave the family an on-line tribute message.

“All in, All Done”