Delbert "Del" Ploen
May 1, 1933 - May 20, 2024
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Delbert "Del" Lee Ploen, age 91, of Chaska, MN - Del’s passing on Monday, May 20, 2024 was the peaceful end to an incredibly beautiful life that all who loved him could’ve hoped for. With his loving wife at his side, he passed peacefully and beautifully. As his family watched Alzheimer's take a little more of him each day for a number of years, it would never take away his gentleness or his loving and beautiful heart.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, August 5th from 4:30-7:30pm at the Chaska Event Center, 3210 Chaska Blvd., Chaska. The family will receive friends beginning at 4:30 PM with a memorial service at 5:30 PM. The open house will resume after the service as well.
Del was born on May 1, 1933, in Green Island, Iowa to Albert and Juanita (Mielk) Ploen. He was welcomed by his older sister, Cleo, and his baby brother Ken was born two years later. Del graduated from Clinton High School in Clinton, Iowa in 1951, and then went on to study at Iowa State University, graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. During his time earning that degree, he spent a summer in the Pacific Northwest fighting forest fires. Additionally, during his time at Iowa State, he joined the ROTC and entered the US Air Force, flying jets and becoming both a Captain and Navigator.
Del was a man of adventure who deeply loved the outdoors. Whether being alone in nature, or with those he most loved, the world around him brought him incredible joy. From a very young age, fishing, hunting, and exploring was in his blood - something he started doing in boyhood with his family and would carry as a favorite pastime throughout his entire life - with family and friends, but especially, his four sons.
His first marriage to Peggy Addison blessed him with four sons that he loved and treasured beyond words. Their own love of the outdoors and adventure was nurtured by their father. Be it fishing, hunting, golfing, skiing, or just exploring nature together, sometimes in the GMC motorhome, his love of life became theirs, and they shared incredible experiences together.
Ever an entrepreneur and a man eager to try new things, he had early business ventures in Iowa as a young father. He and friends owned a campground and even a mini golf course for a time. But his biggest venture awaited him in Minnesota.
In 1967 he moved his family to Minnesota where he co-founded Quali Tech. Over the years he nurtured and built Quali Tech into a successful company that did amazing things for the food, agriculture, and environmental industries. His four sons all went to work with him and furthered it when it was time for him to hand over the reins. He always referred to the employees as his “Quali Tech Family”. His final title was CEO Emeritus.
Del was joined in marriage to Kay (Antonsen) in 1991 which also welcomed her two children into his life. His love and generosity will be treasured forever. Del and Kay enjoyed many wonderful adventures and years together, including trips to many parts of the world as well as simpler time spent with friends and family. Sometimes Del’s dear friends accompanied him on adventures and added fun in many parts of the world as well.
With Quali Tech being warmly welcomed into Chaska and the surrounding community, Del wanted to give back by volunteering in numerous civic and industry organizations. He held offices and board positions in many of them, including the Chaska Rotary Club, Ridgeview Medical Center, Ridgeview Foundation, Chaska Chamber of Commerce, and Christmas in May among others. He was honored with both the Rotary Club’s George C. Klein Award and the Chaska Chamber’s Spirit of Chaska Award.
Del is survived by his devoted wife Kay, his four loving sons Jeff (Brenda), Mark (Arlette), Kye (Laura Karstens), and Cory (Brenda), and his bonus children Jennifer Liddicoat and Tim (Danielle) Liddicoat. The large blended family includes grandchildren: Lindsay, Saren, Brittany (Jake Munger), Devon (Matt Morris), Brett, Brandon (Kate), Marissa, McKenzie (Patrick Erichsen), Connor (Maria), Alexis, Carter, Bella Liddicoat-Menzel, Michael Liddicoat, and Aurora Liddicoat, along with great grandchildren Taysia, Estelle, Logan, Olivia and a new baby due in September. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Janet (Ken) Ploen, and Kay’s family.
Del was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Juanita Ploen, his sister Cleo (John) North, and his brother Kenneth.
Our family is thankful for the loving care he received over the past four months at Riley Crossing in Chanhassen and Auburn Manor in Chaska, as well as Park Nicollet Hospice (Nurse Dayna). Their tender care was appreciated more than words can express. While he will be deeply missed, his family is comforted in knowing Del is at peace and his struggle is over.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Ducks Unlimited and Auburn Homes.
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