MarJean R. Plate, age 97, a longtime resident of Hilbert, died Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Caring Hands Assisted Living in New Holstein.

MarJean was born on March 18, 1929 in Kiel, daughter of the late Roy and Verna (Voigt) Voland. MarJean graduated from Kiel High School, Class of 1947. She started working at the Kiel Co-op two Saturdays before her graduation and continued there until August 1963. She married Virgil Plate on October 24, 1959 at Zion Ev Lutheran Church, Louis Corners. He preceded her in death August 20, 1994. MarJean was very active at St. Peter Lutheran Church. She was a stay-at-home mom who raised two wonderful girls. Staying at home provided MarJean the flexibility to volunteer at St. Peter Lutheran School, where she served hot lunches. She and Virgil also served the school as its janitors for over 25 years. Later in life, MarJean volunteered at thrift stores Bethesda and Shepherd’s Attic.

MarJean valued family, particularly enjoying her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s visits, and she looked forward to every opportunity to spend time with them. She also valued friendship. She attended every yearly high school class reunion and was grateful to have maintained lifetime connections with so many of her high school friends. In her spare time, she enjoyed card clubs, playing sheepshead, and bowling. In her later life, she was fond of jigsaw puzzles, wordsearches, and, of course, more sheepshead. She was always an avid Packers and Brewers fan.

Survivors include two daughters: Shari Hechel and Lori Plate (Chris); two grandchildren: David (Katie) Hechel and Kelly (Steven) Aderman; two great-granddaughters: Maddie and and Brooklynn Hechel; and a brother-in-law: Duane Fietzer. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Virgil; her son: Brian Jay Plate in 1960; her brother: Myron (Arleen) Voland; her nephew: Mark Voland; and Virgil’s seven brothers and sisters and their spouses.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2026 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Hilbert. Officiating at the Service will be the Rev. Mark Peterson with burial in the church cemetery.

The family will greet relatives and friends Monday morning at church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Caring Hands and Calumet County Hospice for the personal care they offered MarJean.