Service Information
Gary D. Plotz, age 75, husband of Joan, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at CrossPoint Church in Hutchinson with interment on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at Riverside Cemetery in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial's preferred in lieu of flowers.
Obituary
Mr. Gary Dane Plotz was born on October 22, 1950, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He was the son of Dr. Erwin and Mrs. Mavis (Dane) Plotz. At Grace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh, Gary was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth. He received his education in Oshkosh and was a graduate of the Oshkosh West High School class of 1968. Gary furthered his education at Lakeland University in Plymouth, Wisconsin. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, achieved his Master’s Degree in Public Administration at George Washington University in Washington D.C., and completed one year of Law School at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
On May 24, 1975, Gary was united in marriage to Miss Joan Brott on the college campus of Lakeland University. After moving to Hutchinson, Minnesota, in 1977, their marriage was blessed with seven children; Jalean, Janelle, Gary Jr., Jordan, Jared, Evan, and Jonathan. Gary and Joan’s love of donuts led them to briefly own a donut shop in the community. The community offered swimming, and their children all became swimmers. A loving “swim” father, he nurtured his kids and grew the swim program as the elected President of the Hutchinson High Tides Swim Club. Gary and Joan devoted their lives to their church, family, and Hutchinson community. They lovingly shared 50 “Golden” years of marriage.
Gary was City Administrator of Hutchinson, MN for 33 years. His innovation, research, and focus on progress working with his staff and the wide range of management styles and personalities of seven mayors and dozens of council members resulted in almost a doubling of Hutchinson’s population, revitalization of the downtown, the building of 12 city facilities, and several parks. During his tenure, he managed 10 city-owned businesses. Gary’s passion for composting led him to start Creekside Soils for which he designed the logo and brands, developed the different kinds of compost recipes, ran educational public programs, and marketed throughout the Midwest. Gary retired in 2010 and became a Floridian snowbird.
In his local church of the United Church of Christ in Hutchinson, Gary was Moderator, Chairman of the Trustees, a Deacon, and member of the Missions Board and the church choir. In his later years, Gary was an associate member of CrossPoint Church in Hutchinson and enjoyed Bible studies. He loved the outdoors; fishing, traveling, Jellystone camping, boating, sailing, and snow skiing and also enjoyed playing cards and the string bass. Gary especially cherished sharing in these activities and any time spent with his family, grandchildren, and friends.
Gary passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 75 years from MDS anemia and CMML leukemia surrounded by his loving family.
Gary’s legacy of love, leadership, and faith will live on in all who knew him. Blessed be his memory.
Gary is survived by his:
Wife, Mrs. Joan Plotz of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Prof. and Dr. Jalean Petricka and her husband, Prof. and Dr. Jessie Petricka of Broomfield, CO,
Dr. Gary Plotz, Jr., and his wife, Mrs. Betsy Plotz of Slayton, MN,
Mr. Jordan Plotz and his wife, Mrs. Maria Carmen Plotz of Faribault, MN,
Mr. Jared Plotz and his wife, Mrs. Brooke Plotz of Lakeville, MN,
Mr. Evan Plotz and his wife, Mrs. Gina Plotz of Hutchinson, MN,
Mr. Jonathan Plotz of Hutchinson, MN;
17 Grandchildren, Leif, Ambrose and Alara Petricka, Gary III, Brielle, Brennly, Elliot, Grant and Grady Plotz, Nathaniel Plotz, Griffin and Miles Plotz, Emma, Quinn, Olivia and Ethan Plotz, Noah Plotz;
Sister, Mrs. Wendy Metz of Tulsa, OK;
Nephew, Mr. Scott Metz of Tulsa, OK;
Many other relatives and friends.
Gary is preceded in death by his Parents, Dr. Erwin and Mrs. Mavis Plotz; Daughter (in infancy), Janelle Plotz; Brother-in-law, Mr. Frank Metz.
Kristine Reinert says
Condolenses to The Family
You have my Sympathy
Theresa Royse says
Uncle Gary will be greatly missed. He was such a wonderful person. I feel blessed getting to have him in my life. Rest in Peace Uncle Gary. Until we see you again. Love you.
Your God niece, Theresa
John and Kim Schutt says
Joan and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers as you navigate life without him.
John and Kim Schutt
Mary-Anne Olmsted-Kohls says
Joan and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Gary gave his cancer battle a good fight. I know you all are pleased he is at peace now with our dear Lord and Savior.
Blessed be his memory.
All my love to all of you,
Mary-Anne Olmsted-Kohls
Brad Emans says
Plotz family, my most sincere condolences for the loss of your husband and father.
I worked for him for many years, really good boss!
RIP Gary, your service on earth has concluded!
Larry Balleine says
Dear Joan and family,
Pansy and extend our deep sympathy to you on Gary’s passing. What a wonderful friend, roommate and fellow Lakeland alum. So many great memories of times and events spent together and conversations shared. Please be comforted by God’s promise to “never leave us or forsake us,” and the assurance that whether we live or die we belong to God.
Christine Davitt says
Gary was such a blessing to his family and community. So glad I knew him!
My sympathy and prayers for Joan and all his family.
James Marka says
RIP my friend!
My deepest sincere condolences to your family
Elmer vorlicek says
Sorry for the loss.gary and the plotz are the greatest people and friends I know and I will keep you in my prayers
Betsy Brown says
Joan and family
I was so sorry to read of Gary’s passing. I have many fond memories of swim meets with the Plotz family! My deepest condolences to all of you.
Betsy Connelly Brown
Nancie Waage says
Dearest Joan and Family,
My heart goes out to all of you on the loss of Gary—a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and, in my case, a truly dear friend.
I’m so grateful we had the chance to reconnect during those years in Florida. Gary—and you too—were always so generous in sharing such fun times boating and fishing, memories I will always treasure. Those visits are memories You & I should hold very close to our hearts.
I’m especially thankful for the friendship Gary had with Dick, and for the many visits you both made to see him—bringing burgers, laughter, and such warm, easy conversation. Those moments meant more than I can say.
It brings a little comfort to picture Gary and Dick together again—probably already talking away and planning their next fishing trip..
Please know you are all in my thoughts and in my heart. Gary was truly one of a kind, and he will be deeply missed.
Love,
Nancie Waage
Mark Schreiner says
Plotz Family,
Sorry for your loss. Gary was a staple in the bleachers at so many High Tides and Tigersharks meets over the years. May he rest in peace.
Penny Entringer says
I was sad to hear of Gary’s passing. May all your memories bring a smile to your face and hearts in the midst of the sadness. Holding your family in prayer.
Arlyn DeBruyckere says
Praying that you receive God’s peace in this difficult time.
Bill Arndt says
I am ssorry to hear of Garys passing. It was an honor to work with him when I was on the city council, and a great friend. He did so may things for th city of Hutchinson.
Jordan Plotz says
Dad, I will forever have a part of you within myself. I miss you greatly! You were truly a wonderful father, husband to mom, and a great role model! Rest in peace with the rest of the family until we meet again!
Richard Schenhiet says
When I first moved to hutchinson I rented their duplex on church street. When I came home from my first day of work Joan came by to tell me my son was born up north. When I ask to use their phone she said they had got the phone installed earlier that day. I figured Gary had some pull in the city…and that is my memory of a wonderful couple. Sorry for your lost