Charles David Pletke

Charles David Pletke, 89, of Waukee, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025, and was received into the loving arms of Jesus.

Chuck was born in the beautiful river town of Winona, Minnesota, on Oct. 30, 1935 where he spent an idyllic life growing up with his parents, Catharine and Paul Pletke, and his older sister, Marian (Pletke) Jacobson. His growing up years consisted of pickup baseball games, playing handball at the YMCA, fishing, working at Pletke’s Grocer and helping his father deliver groceries to the barges coming through on the Mississippi River, pulling pranks, endlessly teasing his mother and sister, “playing” the French horn, and on and on. Noteworthy accomplishments consist of playing on an Olympic-bound volleyball team and being a member of the University of Minnesota basketball team. Chuck loved playing and watching sports.

Upon graduation from Winona High School, Chuck hopped around to various colleges trying to find the one with the best fraternities … finally settling in at Cornell College where he made lifelong friends. Upon graduating from college, Chuck spent time at a graduate school for future YMCA leaders (George Williams College in Chicago). He then went into the Marine Corps as an officer and became a captain. Chuck was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was selected for duty in Vietnam with the Special Forces. He was extremely proud of his service and the association that he had with his brothers in the Marine Corps.

On June 6, 1964, Chuck married the love of his life, Bonnie, in Des Moines. In 1967, Chuck was offered a job as the executive director of the Spencer YMCA. It was at that time that a wonderful match occurred and flourished over the years. Chuck spent tireless hours pouring himself (with the help of many other dedicated community leaders) into helping develop the Spencer YMCA into the community treasure it is today. Along the way, many cherished lifelong relationships were formed within the community.

Chuck and Bonnie enjoyed 30 years of their lives in Spencer. They then moved to Waukee to be closer to family, upon retiring from his beloved Spencer Family YMCA.

Characteristics to describe Chuck include: loyal, servant-heart, humorous, playful, caring, kind, patient, gentle, leader, follower, lifelong learner, Christian. Chuck cared deeply about relationships, as they proved to be the cornerstone of his life.

Left to cherish Chuck’s memory are children: Cathy (Bill) Raine of Urbandale; Dave (Rachel) Pletke of Waconia, Minnesota; Cindy (Ryan) Blackard of Waukee; Chuck’s grandchildren: Tyler (Selina) Roling, Elizabeth (SJ) Risewick, Matthew (Laura) Roling, Katie (Justin) Minger, Tasha (Daniel) Keeling, Andy Sorensen, Ian, Garrett and Andrew Blackard; and great-grandchildren: Jude, Steven, Raymond, Ella, Jace, Charlie, Lily, Annie, Ethan, Jemma and Amara.

Funeral services will be held at Westview Church in Waukee on Friday, April 18, at 11 a.m. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/westviewchurch.waukee/. For anyone wishing to view Chuck, there will be a viewing at 10 a.m. prior to the service. Lunch will be served following the service. The family hopes you can stay. A processional will precede the burial which will take place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter on April 22 at 2 p.m. If you wish to be a part of the processional, please meet at Iles Westover Funeral Home, 6337 Hickman Road at 12:45 p.m.

For anyone wishing to provide memorial donations, they will go toward the Marine Corps League or the Spencer Family YMCA. Please make the check out to Cathy Raine if you’d like to donate to the MCL. If you’d like to donate to the Spencer Family YMCA, checks can be sent directly to the YMCA in Spencer in memory of Chuck.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.ilesFuneralhome.com.