Celia M. “Cel” Pflanz

PORTAGE – Celia M. “Cel” Pflanz, age 91, died on Sunday, January 1, 2012, at Heritage House in Portage.

Cel was born on August 28, 1920, in New Haven Township, Adams County, Wisconsin, the daughter of Albert and Mariette (Stowell) Phillips, and grew up on the homestead farm.  She attended Madison Business College and worked in a law office and a bank.  She was married to Otto E. Pflanz, Jr., who preceded her in death.  After their marriage, they owned and operated Pflanz Funeral Homes in Portage and Poynette, until their retirement in 1978.  Cel was very active in many organizations, including the Wisconsin Mayflower Society, D.A.R., John Bell Chapter, Madison, Wau Bun Chapters, Portage, National Society of Colonial Dames of America, Women’s Civic League, Portage, Elkettes, Portage Country Club, Pythian Sisters of Wisconsin, Women’s Study Club of Portage, Divine Savior Volunteers, Scouting, P.T.A., and Eastern Star, White Shrine, Daughters of the Nile.   She was a member of the Portage United Methodist Church, where she had been a member of the Administrative Board, taught Church School, was a Lay Leader, and served on many committees, including Stewardship, Evangelism, and Missions.  Cel enjoyed many hobbies, attending music, art and theater performances, playing golf, playing bridge and reading, but most of all she loved being with her family.

She is survived by her daughters, Joan (Robert) Pekowsky, Madison, and Mary (Jay) Ziehmke, Portage;  her daughter-in-law, Patricia Smith, rural Pardeeville;  her grandchildren, Robert (Debi) Pekowsky, Susan (Mark) Miller, Aaron Pflanz, Kimberly (Kristopher) Sturman, Megan (Justin) Kopfhamer, and Joshua Ziehmke; great-grandchildren, Grace Suzanne Miller, Celia Jean Kopfhamer, Catherine Joyce Kopfhamer, Jason Thomas Kopfhamer, and Madeline Sturman;  other relatives and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Otto Pflanz on December 7, 1989, her son Thomas O. Pflanz on November 13, 1998, her brothers, Robert Phillips, Edward Phillips, Henry Phillips, and Willard Phillips, and her sisters, Mabel Sorenson, Florence Gohlke, Esther Gohlke, and Winifred Bjorge.    

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, with the Rev. Tom Countryman officiating.  Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2012, at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Portage United Methodist Women or the American Heart Association.