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Thomas Platzer

Thomas Joseph Platzer Sr. age 73 of River Falls, Wisconsin passed away surrounded by his family in St. Paul, Minnesota on May 20th, 2022. Tom was born April 25, 1949 to Robert Joseph Platzer and Margaret Louise (Plante) Platzer in St. Paul, Minnesota. Tom attended Mechanic Arts High School where he excelled in football and made All City Squad. He also lettered in wrestling, swimming and golf. After high school he tried various jobs before settling into a 42-year career at Champion Packaging / Curwood – Bemis Packaging Minneapolis MN.  He attended Lakewood Community College where he earned a certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics as a Prosthetic Technician May 14, 1987.  Tom has two children: Tom Jr.  and Christopher who were the light of his life. Tom was an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, Belcourt North Dakota.

There was nothing Tom loved more than an adventure with his sons. The three traveled all around the United States and Canada. A notable trip the three took was to Washington D.C. During this trip, they went to the Smithsonian as well as saw many other historic landmarks. They also enjoyed their travels up to Canada and Alaska where they would go camping and fishing.

Tom was a gifted artist in many ways. Not only was he a published poet, but an extraordinary wood carver and sculpture. Twenty-four years ago, Tom met the love of his life Phyllis Thompson. The two loved to travel. Searching for relatives from Plentywood Montana, Mandan ND and Turtle Mountain Indian reservation and Standing Rock Indian reservation at Canon Ball. Very successful in finding many relatives along the way. We went all the way to Alberta Canada to find more Platzers. For many years the family would meet on weekends at the cabin in the woods that Tom built in Radisson WI

Tom will forever remain in the hearts of his beloved life partner Phyllis Thompson; sons Tom Jr (Renita Juarez) Platzer and Christopher (Leslie) Platzer; grandchildren Mason Platzer, Dawson Platzer, and Marcello Platzer; great granddaughter Anna Jo Jabs-Platzer; step-children Donna (Barry) Giersdorf-Thompson, Candace Thompson, and Melanie (Wade) McDowell; step-grandchildren Grace Thompson, Chet Giersdorf-Thompson, Joni Giersdorf-Thompson, Charlsie Thompson, Owen McDowell, and Oliver McDowell; siblings Jean (Mike) Haffner and James Platzer; sister-in-law Diane Platzer; nieces and nephews Julie, Johnny, Michelle, Jennifer, Kenny, Kristie, Robert Jr., and Steven.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Robert Platzer and Margaret (Plante) Platzer; nephew Chad Swedberg; step-grandchild Noah Giersdorf-Thompson; siblings Joe (Matilda) Koerner, Kenny (Janice) Koerner, Bobby Platzer, and Carol (Leroy) Swedberg.

A service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held on Thursday, June 23rd, 2022 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, Wisconsin. The service will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior. In remembrance of Tom, please wear your favorite hat to his service.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Tom’s name to the American Diabetes Association or Learning Disabilities of MN.