---

Kenneth E. Ploetz, age 73 of Boy River, MN passed away on Saturday March 16, 2019 at Grand Village, in Grand Rapids, MN after a courageous battle with cancer.

Ken was born in 1945 to Elmer and Gertrude Ploetz in Winona, Minnesota. He graduated from St. Charles High School. Ken was united in Marriage to Ruth on December 28, 1968. He and Ruth moved to a farm near Utica and raised beef cattle and crops of grain. The family then moved to Boy River where they bought a fishing resort on beautiful Big Boy Lake called Arrowhead Resort. After owning and operating the resort he became a realtor in Longville.

Ken is a proud US Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran (Semper Fi). He enjoyed trips hunting from the Yukon to the Blackhills, fishing the Northwest Territories and the Pacific Ocean in Mexico. And he especially loved fishing in his own backyard on Leech Lake. In his later years he enjoyed growing things again. Trees, vegetable gardens, and rose gardens. He had a green thumb. He was an avid reader. He cared for animals greatly. He was proud of his Black Angus and Hereford cattle and loved German Shepherds and Daschunds. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, family and friends telling the best stories that left everyone laughing.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, and brother, David A. Ploetz.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; three daughters, Amy (Craig) Johnson of Longville, MN. Leslie (Joseph) Letson of Savage, MN, Jennifer (Todd) Peterson of Grand Rapids, MN; seven grandchildren Brady, Spencer, Alejandro, Talon, Heidi, Trevor, and Afton, and his nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Ken's life will be held on Saturday April 6th, 2019 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at Patrick's Fine Dining on Girl Lake. Internment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Little Falls at a later date.[[In-content Ad]]

---