Lisa Ploetz (nee Fischer) was born on February 15, 1934 in Furth Im Wald, Germany.  She was the youngest of four girls. She left Germany in 1952 at the age of 18 in search of better opportunities in the United States, as work was scarce in Germany.  Lisa moved in with her uncle and aunt until an acquaintance from her hometown arrived in Chicago.  She then rented an apartment with her friend and went to work at Northern Electric Company.  In the evenings, they attended classes at Lakeview High School to learn English.

Lisa attended a dance at a German social club in the summer of 1955 where she met Frank Ploetz.  Two years later, on June 29, 1957, they married.  Together they raised three children, Barbara, Thomas, and Michael.  Lisa worked various jobs while taking care of her family and finally retired at the age of 75.

Lisa was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  In her free time, Lisa enjoyed walking, gardening, sewing, quilting and the outdoors, particularly sitting in the garden to enjoy a cup of coffee, and of course her cookies.  “The coffee is empty without a cookie”.  

Lisa passed away peacefully on January 23, 2022 surrounded by her children. She was truly an extraordinary, loving, supportive, selfless, warm-hearted woman who was loved by many and will be missed by all.

A brief visitation will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 from 9am to 10am at Olson Burke/Sullivan Funeral and Cremation Center, 6471 N. Northwest Highway, Chicago, IL 60631.  Funeral mass will be held at 10:30am at St. Monica’s Church, 5136 N. Nottingham Ave., Chicago, IL 60656.  Graveside internment to follow at St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery, Niles, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care.