Gary August Plate, 71, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home surrounded by those he loved the most on April 26, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. He was born May 2, 1951, in Appleton to Merlin and Norma Plate and raised in Hilbert. He graduated from Hilbert High School in 1969 and from Concordia College in St. Paul, MN in May of 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts. He began his teaching career at St. Peter Lutheran School in Goodhue, MN where he met his future wife, Marva Dahling. The two married on November 30, 1974. He also taught at Zion Lutheran School in Colby, WI and St. Paul Lutheran School in Woodworth, IL. Gary graduated from UW Platteville with a Master of Science in Education in 1994. Gary concluded his teaching career at Kickapoo Area Schools in Viola, WI, retiring in 2015.
Gary also enjoyed coaching a great deal. He was involved in coaching football and basketball in middle school, junior varsity and varsity and also served as an athletic director in Kickapoo.
Gary enjoyed walking, working suduko puzzles, playing blackjack and golfing. Above all, he was a man of faith and a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Marva, Green Bay; two children, Christopher (Tricia) Plate, Oak Creek and Stephanie (Jon) Skroch, De Pere; three grandchildren, Caden Plate, Lauren Skroch and Ethan Skroch; a brother, Mark (Grace) Plate; a sister Nancy (Jerry) Propson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fritz and Adele Dahling; a brother, Jerome Plate and a nephew, Justin Mark Plate.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., Green Bay. Visitation will continue from 10:00 to 10:55 a.m. Tuesday at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 120 S. Henry St., Green Bay. The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church with Pastor Dave Hatch officiating. Interment will be in Nicolet Memorial Gardens. To send online condolences visit www.prokowall.com.
Jeane Smits is serving the family.