Virginia Lee Pletz (Brant), age 89, of Eau Claire, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026.

Services will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, Aug 5th at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma where the family will receive friends beginning one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens. Those wishing to leave an online message of remembrance may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

Virginia was born on September 30, 1936, in Benton Harbor, to Wayne Eugene and Doris Maxine (Hawks) Brant.

She grew up in Benton Harbor, Michigan, alongside her older sister, Margaret Anne "Peggy" Bradley, and younger brother, Daniel Craig Brant. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1954 before pursuing her passion for education at Western Michigan University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957 and Michigan State University, where she earned a Master of Arts degree in 1976.

On July 21, 1955, Virginia married the love of her life, George Pletz Jr., in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Together they built a loving family and raised three sons: Scott Wayne (Jaime) Pletz, Richard Frederick (Jessica) Pletz and Rodney Lee (Vicki) Pletz..

Throughout her life, Virginia called several Michigan communities home, including Benton Harbor, Dowagiac, Big Rapids, as well as Chicago, Illinois. She dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, teaching for many years in the Benton Harbor School District, Grandville Public Schools, and ultimately the Dowagiac Union School District, where she spent many memorable years as a beloved fourth-grade teacher before retiring in 1995. Her love of serving others continued into retirement when she worked as a customer service representative at Fernwood Botanical Garden in Buchanan, Michigan, where she warmly welcomed countless visitors.

Virginia found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved camping, traveling, and especially gardening. Her beautiful gardens at her Sister Lakes home reflected both her creativity and dedication, and she achieved the distinction of becoming a Master Gardener. Friends and family admired not only the beauty she cultivated in her gardens but also the warmth and kindness she shared with everyone around her.

Above all, Virginia treasured time with her family. She delighted in watching her nine grandchildren grow: Erica (Tyler) Kirksey, Tim Pletz, Jeremy (Haley) Pletz, Thomas Loveland, Mason(Shawn Soethe) Pletz, David (Bethany) Loveland, Everett Pletz, Juniper Pletz, and Opal Pletz. She was also blessed with six great-grandchildren: Blake Pletz, Kayce Pletz, David Loveland Jr., Justin Loveland, McKenna Kirksey, and Emma Kirksey. Her love, encouragement, and gentle spirit will remain with each of them always.

In addition to her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George Pletz Jr..

She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, lifelong learning, service to her community, and unwavering devotion to her family. The thousands of students whose lives she touched, the gardens she lovingly tended, and the memories she created with those she loved stand as lasting tributes to a life well lived.

The family invites all who knew Virginia to remember her by sharing kindness with others, nurturing the beauty of nature, and cherishing time with those they love. Her gentle heart, generous spirit, and enduring love will be deeply missed and forever remembered.