John “Jack” Platner

Platner, John Leland “Jack”

Peacefully entered God’s loving arms on January 3, 2022, at the age of 89 surrounded by his wife and family. Loving husband of Mary, (née Singer), for 68 years. Devoted father of Teresa Platner-Sherman (John Sherman), Karen (John) Farley, Susan Platner (Joe Shemky), Tom (Janet) Platner, Jean (Ty) Holz, Patricia (Tim) Fredman. Proud grandfather of Danielle Sherman, Bryan Farley, Adam Farley, Jenna (Mike) Mersch, Sarah (David) Sandager, Laura (Nick) Malahy, David Platner, Megan Platner, Jack Holz, Jadyn Holz, Alexina (Garrett) Gosh, Ben Fredman, Sam Fredman, Jorin (Lee) Mattox. Great Grandfather to Michael (Mikey) Mersch III, Chloe Sandager, Milo Sandager, Rory Malahy, Jack Malahy, Maximus (Max) Gosh, Cecily (Cece) Gosh, Gemma Gosh. Preceded in death by brothers Donald (Don) Platner, Lyle Leland (Paul) Platner, and sister Doris Platner.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date at Jack and Mary’s beloved Moon Lake retirement home located in Saint Germain, Wisconsin. A special thank you to the staff at Dickson Hollow for the loving care you provided. Heartfelt gratitude to Skip, who kept the Moon Lake property and buildings well maintained, as well as Jack and Mary laughing and on their toes.

Jack was born in Palmyra, Wisconsin to Leland Kenneth and Irma (Mundshau) Platner. He grew up on a farm near Whitewater and attended Whitewater High School. Jack was an outstanding football, basketball and track athlete and was admitted to UW Madison to study Engineering on the ROTC Air Force program. . While attending the university, he met his future wife, Mary, during a flag football game, where Mary tackled Jack and almost broke his glasses. They married the day after Jack graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1954. Following graduation Jack served in the Air Force as a Captain-Electronics Counter Measures and Navigator Officer flying many long B-52 missions. Upon discharge from the Air Force in 1957, he began his career in the research department with Allis Chalmers. In the 1960’s, he managed the Allis Chalmers Greendale R&D Plant, which received the US NASA contract to manufacture and design a more efficient fuel cell used in the Apollo manned spaceflights to the moon. Jack’s research department also built the world’s first fuel cell powered tractor, curated by the Smithsonian-National Museum of History, now at the McLeod County Historical Society in Hutchinson, MN. In 1994, Jack concluded his career as CEO & President of Svedala Industri AB – North American Operations, managing the former Allis Chalmers Minerals Processing Division acquired by this Swedish company in 1987.

Jack and Mary were both pilots and together flew a Cessna Cardinal airplane for many years. They would fly “up North” looking for the perfect location to build their future retirement home. In 1981, they found a beautiful 24 acres parcel on Moon Lake and proceeded to build an “Octagon House” which Jack designed himself. Jack and Mary spent many years building the main house, an airplane hangar and two garage-lofts with lots of room so that family and friends could visit. Jack also built two experimental amphibious airplanes which are still flying today.

Jack and Mary enjoyed traveling – they went on safari in Africa, river rafted down the Colorado river through the Grand Canyon, sea kayaked on islands near Belize and the Galapagos Islands, and traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, South America and Antarctica. In retirement, Jack was on the committee that was instrumental in the building of the new St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Eagle River, WI in 2000. He was also on the finance committee of the St. Peter’s Thrift Shop Annex that was established in 2006 and he and Mary worked there for the next ten years. However, what Jack enjoyed the most was being surrounded by his family, his golden retrievers, and taking joy in the beautiful lake and woods surrounding their home.

You will always be a part of our lives, and we miss you. Rest now in heavenly peace. We love you.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Legacy of the Northwoods, 910 Winter Street, Eagle River WI 54521