Sam L. Plante

Sam Plante, resident of Fort Ripley, MN, passed away peacefully at the St. Cloud VA Center on October 22, 2026, at the age of 90. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, October 27 at 12:00 P.M. at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, with Chaplain Gregg Valentine officiating. A visitation will take place on Tuesday, October 27 from 11:00 A.M. until the hour of the service also at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service, giving friends and family the chance to remember and honor this remarkable man. Following the service, Sam will be laid to rest at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, north of Little Falls, where he will receive the honors he so deeply deserves. 

Sam Lee Plante's life began on May 30, 1936, in Fort Ripley, MN, where he was born to Walter and Velda (Nelson) Plante. Growing up alongside his five siblings—Larry, Gale, Wally, David, Richard, and Laree—Sam learned the values of family and hard work that would define his life. He proudly served in the United States Army in Germany from 1953 until his honorable discharge in 1956. In 1956, Sam made the move to Minneapolis, where he attended Northwestern Electronics School. Just a year later, on November 8, 1957, he married the love of his life, Bernice Holewa, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Brennyville, MN. Together, they had a wonderful life, with Sam running his own electronics business until 1970, before returning to his roots in Fort Ripley. There, they were blessed with six children, Valerie, Donald, Mary, Russell, Lisa and Amy. They spent many joyful years farming and creating lasting memories with their family. Sam was known for his love of hunting, a passion for John Deere tractors, and an adventurous spirit that took him traveling far and wide. He was a proud member of the Little Falls VFW Post #1112 and the D.A.V. 

He leaves behind cherished memories for his daughters: Valerie (Darrell) Posterick , Mary (Casey) Brechtel, Lisa (Robert) Salberg, and Amy (Peter) Sandy, along with many adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings, Gale (Marlys) Plante, Wally (DeeAnn) Plante, David Plante and Richard Plante.

Sam was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bernice, on October 28, 2022; his sons, Russell and Donald; his parents; and siblings, Laree Pickar and Larry Plante. 

Emblom Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of Sam.