Pastor David J. Plocher

Pastor David (Dave) Plocher, 90, of Waterloo, Wisconsin was called home to heaven by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 31, 2024 in the hospice house in Johnson Creek, WI. He was born December 21, 1934 to Rev. Karl John and Adelia Lucille (Martin) Plocher in Litchfield, Minnesota. He was baptized soon after and as a youth confirmed by his father at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Litchfield. 

He graduated from Dr. Martin Luther High School at New Ulm, MN in 1952, Northwestern College (BA) at Watertown, WI in 1956 and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (MDiv) at Mequon, WI in 1959. He served WELS parishes for a total of 43 years. He served at Trinity Lutheran in Winner, SD and St. John’s in Witten, SD then he served at Messiah in Wichita/Halstead, KS and finally at St. Paul in Marshall, WI. In South Dakota he was chairman of the board at Mobridge Lutheran Academy. While in Kansas he laid the foundational work for the Oklahoma City churches and while in Wisconsin he was circuit pastor for many years. 

He married his high school sweetheart, Naomi Voecks, on June 20, 1959 at St. John Lutheran Church in New Ulm, MN and was blessed with 65 years of her love and with three sons.

Pastor Plocher’s greatest joy was bringing to sinners the love of Jesus, divine forgiveness and the promise of eternal life to believers. With the grace-filled Word and sacraments God also enabled him to help heal a broken congregation, plant a new mission and help revitalize an aging church.

He retired in Waterloo, WI, joined St. John Lutheran Church, sang in the choir, and produced material for their 150th anniversary. Dave enjoyed his family, time at the cottage, researching his ancestry, producing historical videos and contributing to the WELS archives. He also liked grilling, gardening and fishing.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Rev. Karl M. Plocher and sister Joan Meyer; also father/mother-in-law Prof. Victor and Olga Voecks. Survivors are his wife Naomi, sons John Plocher (Katherine Dickinson), Rev. James (Kelly) Plocher and Prof. Martin (Jill - teacher) Plocher; eight grandchildren, Rev. Micah (Megan - teacher) Plocher, Rev. Nathanael (Alyssa – teacher) Plocher, Gabriel - teacher (Abby – teacher) Plocher, Leah - teacher (Vicar John) Fix, also Malachi Plocher, Zachariah Plocher, Isaiah Plocher, and Mashayla Plocher; and great-grandchildren Silas Plocher, Levi Plocher, and Andrew (AJ) Fix; he is survived by his sister Leila Strickholm, sister-in-law Dorothy (Prof. Roger) Klockziem and other relatives and friends.

A Christian funeral service will be held on Friday, January 10 at 11:00 am at St. John Lutheran Church, Waterloo, WI with Rev. Andrew Meyer officiating. Family and friends may gather at the church from 9:00am until the time of the service. The family appreciates memorials to be designated to St. John in Waterloo, St. Paul’s in Marshall, and the WELS Historical Institute. Committal will be at Washington Cemetery in the Town of Portland.