Gary Plote

Gary Dean Plote, formerly of Lake City, MN, died at age 79 at the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Hospital (VAH) on June 10, 2026. Gary, the only child of Harold and Jane (Schmidt) Plote, was born in Lake City on July 20, 1946. He was baptized and confirmed at St John's Lutheran church in Lake City and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1964, then attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, MN until he was drafted into the US Army in 1968. While stationed in Viet Nam in 1968, Gary suffered a bunker injury, resulting in paraplegia. After receiving extensive treatment and rehabilitation at Veterans Administration Hospitals, Gary returned to Lake City to live with his parents.

He moved to San Clemente, California in the 1970s because of the warmer climate, allowing him to be mobile outside year-round. After his father's death in 1978, Gary's mother moved to California to live with him. Mudslides near their home later caused them to return to Minnesota. They lived in Red Wing for a short time and then moved to Inver Grove Heights because of its close proximity to the Minneapolis VAH and outpatient facilities. Complications from Gary's paraplegia and his need for close medical attention resulted in Gary's 2024 in-patient hospitalization at the VAH, where he resided until his death.

Gary had numerous and varied interests following his discharge from the Army. He enjoyed doo wop music from the 1950s, astronomy, old movies, building computers for his personal use, playing cribbage and bridge, and following the Twins, Vikings and professional golf.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and his cousin Cindy (Plote) Bakke. He is survived by cousins, Karen Willers; Diane (Brad) Tri and children Kris Tri and Jodie (Joshua) Finstuen and their family, Kaitlyn, Tanner, Abby and Ryan; Cindy and Lee Bakke's children Katie (Mitchell) Brooks and their family Jake (Kennedy), Abby and Ben and Karl (Christine) Bakke and their family Mattie and Henry; and the Richard Eggenberger and Ronald Eggenberger families.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, June 18th at 11 AM at the Mahn Family Funeral Home Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City with Rev. Robb Robbert officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. John’s cemetery. A time of fellowship will follow the graveside service at the funeral home. Memorials are preferred to donor’s choice. On-Line Condolences may be placed at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com