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BORN
1991
DIED
2019
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Kort Plantenberg Obituary
Avon - Memorial services will be held Thursday for Kort Miller Plantenberg, 28, of Avon, who died Dec. 5 in a Minnesota Army National Guard helicopter crash.
The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Saint John's Abbey Church in Collegeville, with visitation two hours prior (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) at Saint John's Abbey Church.
Kort lived a life devoted to service and filled with love for family, friends, animals and nature and a passion for flying. His legacy and life force are indelible.
He is survived by his parents, Steve and Laura Plantenberg of Avon; sister Isabel Plantenberg of Avon; grandmother Theresa Elliott of Savage; girlfriend Bryonna Anderson of Clovis; trusted canine companion Max; and countless friends and coworkers who will always remember his quiet kindness, gentle strength and generous spirit.
Kort Miller Plantenberg was born March 21, 1991 at St. Cloud Hospital. He grew up in Avon and from an early age was obsessed with helicopters and flying, his lifelong dream.
He graduated from Albany Area High School in 2009 and from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2013 with a degree in criminology, then went to work as a correctional officer with the Stearns County Sheriff's Department.
Kort enjoyed fishing and hunting, served as a lifeguard and on ski patrol, and was a member of the Minnesota biathlon team for the Army National Guard. He tirelessly contributed his time and skills to help friends and neighbors, loved solving problems and met challenges with unbreakable determination.
His sense of service and dreams of flying inspired Kort to enlist in the Minnesota Army National Guard March 1, 2016 as an aircraft electrician. Sgt. Plantenberg served a nine-month deployment with the Guard's Company C, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion in Kuwait, where the unit provided aerial medical evacuation.
Kort returned from deployment May 11 and was recently hired as a federal technician UH60 mechanic at Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in St. Cloud. He was selected to start the state warrant officer program in March 2020 and then flight school next fall in pursuit of his lifelong passion. His ambition was to work on helicopters during the week and fly them on the weekend.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kort Plantenberg
Sponsored by Daniel Funeral Homes - Saint Cloud.
Kelly Lynch
December 12, 2019
Sir,
May you rest in peace. Thank you for service and may you continue watching over your friends and family until you meet again in other form.
God Bless
Custom Protection Officer in St Paul MN.
Kelly P. Lynch
Glenn Miller
December 11, 2019
Steve and Laura, Beth and I just heard the news. This is so heartbreaking. When we last met on Lake Minnetonka you mention that Kort had found his passion. We wish we had words to comfort but please know that we stand with you in grief and that we pray for you and your family for a quick understanding of why. We plan to be at the funeral tomorrow and hope we can offer our condolences personally. Thoughts and prayers, Glenn and Beth Miller.
December 11, 2019
Heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Cindy Schneider Krueger
Abhi Devireddy
December 10, 2019
To Kort's family,
I was Kort's roommate for over a year at UMD, where we were Resident Advisors. I have many fond memories of Kort and want to extend my sincerest condolences on your loss.
Kort was one of the best influences that the students we worked with (mostly freshmen) had the privilege of interacting with. Kort was genuine and a good friend to all that had the privilege of meeting him.
Although, we fell out of regular communication, he would regularly send me random text messages with lots of ideas for the "next big thing". These ideas included everything from a harness for his jeep, to apps that would help him sell textbooks in school.
He was a tinkerer at heart. I remember him encouraging me to try mountain biking and getting me a "deal" with the latest bike from his workplace. He loved being a Ski Patrol and loved to share his passion with everyone that he was around.
As I've talked to students, friends, co-workers and other "dorm-neighbors", I've heard story after story about how Kort, as quiet as he was, was always available to encourage them in their everyday lives, celebrate with them in their victories and cry with them in their struggles.
One of my favorite memories with Kort was when Kort, Nick, Devin and I went Skiing at Spirit Mountain because our buddies were on the Ski Patrol and it was cheap. 6 hours and a lot of sore arms and legs later, we piled into the jeep to go get some tacos... https://youtu.be/e-RA8cCCkE0
Your son and brother was a truly exceptional and selfless gentleman and I'm honored to have known him and worked alongside him.
I'm so sorry for your loss and please know that there are a lot of folks, praying for comfort for you in the days ahead.
Abhi
Don and June Bierschbach
December 10, 2019
So sorry for your loss. Our girls, Briana and Brooke remember Kort fondly. We hope you find peace.
Pat Michaelson
December 10, 2019
To Kort's family and friends,
I am so very sorry for this profound loss in your lives. I knew Kort as a little boy in first grade when I was his teacher. I last saw him when I attended his graduation. That group of first graders was so very special, and I just had to be there to see them graduate.
I pray you will find peace and comfort in the days ahead. I know many people are praying for you, and that includes me.
Blessings, Pat Michaelson
Linda Cross Quality Cleaners
December 10, 2019
I am so sad to hear that your son has died so suddenly. I will be thinking of you. And remember he died doing what he loved.
December 10, 2019
You will be missed.
December 10, 2019
Thank you, young man, for your service. Condolences to your family, friends, and fellow servicemen, Sgt. you made a true contribution that won't soon be forgotten.
The Miller Family
Lori Brix
December 10, 2019
May God bless and keep you, may God's face shine on you, may God be kind to you and give you peace!
Brian & Sue Lemke
December 10, 2019
It has been a long time since I have seen Kort but I remember him being a great guy ready to jump in when help was needed. Always smiling and so smart. He will be missed by many but no one will miss him quite like his family. Steve, Laura and Isabel you are in our prayers and you have our deepest sympathy .
December 10, 2019
Kort Plantenberg it is with great humility, pride and honor that we post this remembrance for you so that your memory and the sacrifice you made for your country will never be forgotten. Thank you Kort for being who you were and for all you did. We live in freedom to this day thanks to heroes like you that answer the call to duty.
You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE. Rest in Peace and Honor Kort.
Robert & Marty Ahles
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Mashell Bjorge
December 10, 2019
Please know, even if few words can comfort you at this time, that your son's sacrifices for the good of others is so appreciated. Godspeed, Sgt. You are now free to soar.
Mike & Yvette Mahler
December 9, 2019
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Susan McKeon
December 9, 2019
Kort was a favorite student on mine....I recall a little guy who loved to build and who was always sweet and helpful with his classmates.
Steve, Laura, Isabel, my heartfelt sympathy.
Susan McKeon
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