Francis "Frank" Plachetka

Francis “Frank” W. Plachetka passed away on June 25, 2019. He was born on April 3, 1943, in Hillsboro, Wisconsin to Joseph and Christina (Mislevecek) Plachetka. Early years were spent at the family farms in Hillsboro and Reedsburg. After graduating high school Frank joined the Army Reserves and was activated for a year during the Berlin Crisis. He worked at the Rambler auto plant and in construction before going to Choteau, Montana with friends for a hunting trip. Deciding to stay was a good decision. In Choteau he worked construction and was a co-owner for his construction company. He joined the Teton County Sheriff’s Department and served 22 years, mostly as Undersheriff, but also on the volunteer Fire Department and volunteer Ambulance. His favorite was the ambulance because, “people were happy to see you.”In his retirement, he was a rural mail carrier along the Rocky Mountain Front and perfected his golf swing on top of airport hill with a sweeping view of the Front. An avid outdoorsman, he spent many seasons hunting elk and deer in the Bob Marshall and a lot of time fishing.He also built the shed used in the opening scene of the movie Thunderbolt and Lightfoot which was blown up when the car was stolen. He was a magnet for children and animals who found him wherever he went. He was a man of integrity, wit and had a hard time saying “no”.He would drive for miles just to see what he could see. Other adventures included becoming a husband when he married Stella Wedum, and father to Wendy Wedum in 1972.He is survived by his wife, Stella; daughter, Wendy; grandson, Logan; brothers, Paul (Jan) Plachetka, Ed (Carol) Plachetka; sister, Helen (Ed) Miller; many nieces; nephews; and their children. Services are planned for August 9, 2019, at United Methodist Church in Choteau. Memorials are suggested to Teton Co. Food Bank, Benefis Peace Hospice or a charity of your choice.