Donald "Bud" Plumhoff

It is with great sadness that the family of Donald Bud Plumhoff announces his death on Friday, December 7, 2018, at the age of 89, at St. James Hospital in St. James, MN. A native of Fairmont, Minnesota, Bud will be lovingly remembered by his family, the community, and everyone who came in contact with him as a sincere and loving family man, devoted community contributor, and all-around great guy. A member of the Minnesota National Guard, Bud was activated and served as a drill sergeant and marksmanship instructor on the firing range during the Korean War. Following the war, Bud used the GI Bill to attend Mankato Teachers College from 1953-1957. It was in Mankato that Bud met the love of his life, JoAnn, who he cherished and to whom he devoted the rest of his life - 62 years! Bud and his family moved to St.James, from Mankato, in 1966 when Bud took a teaching job at the high school. Bud would become many a St. James students favorite, teaching Art, Speech, and English for 25 years, directing class plays and coaching Declam. Besides teaching at the high school he did the P.A. for most home athletic events for 20 years and was inducted into the St. James Athletics Hall of Fame, class of 2014, as the Beloved Voice of St. James Athletics. Bud was many things to many people in the St. James community; Teacher, Coach, Santa, Director, Artist, The Popcorn Man, devoted 3 Penny Club member, and many more. One year he even stepped up to coach the cheerleading squad. Bud served 10 years on the St. James HUD board, 2 of those as Chairman, was a lifetime member of the American Legion and Veterans Honor Guard and served as Legion Commander. He and JoAnn served meals on wheels for years and served as activities volunteers at the nursing home. He was passionately devoted to the church and served for years as a church lector and communion server. He was famously known as Santa, a role he gleefully played, mostly around St. James, for 30 years, visiting homes, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, businesses, and many city events dressed as the Man in Red! His Santa carvings are extensive and his love of all things Christmas is legendary. In 2002 Bud was awarded the Service to Mankind Award by the St. James Sertoma Club for his extensive involvement in and service to the community. Buds family will miss him dearly and will always remember him for his love and devotion to family, larger-than-life persona, and his drier-than-dry wit and wisdom. Bud is survived by his wife JoAnn Plumhoff of St. James, children; Don (Christina) Plumhoff of Ellicot City, MD, Julie Plumhoff of Sioux Falls, SD, Jane (Brad) Toegel of Montgomery, MN, Joe Plumhoff of Blaine, MN, John (Brenda) Plumhoff of Maple Grove, MN, sister Joann Jones of Fairmont, MN, grandchildren; Ryan, Emily, Joe-Nick, Olivia, Charlie, Joe, Jason, Maxwell, Adam, Levi, great-grandchildren; Mya, Noah and Audrey. He is preceded in death by his daughter Mary, son Ted, grandson Daniel and brother Darrell. Visitation 1 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm Wednesday, December 12, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 4pm Rosary at the funeral home. Visitation 2 10:00 am - 11:00 am Thursday, December 13, 2018 St. James Catholic Church, St. James 623 4th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Thursday, December 13, 2018 St. James Catholic Church, St. James 623 4th Street S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery- St. James East of town on CR 27 Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Military honors provided by the St. James Veterans Honor Guard Fellowship Lunch and fellowship at Marian Hall following burial.