Ela Plaut

Ela Plaut of Stevens Point, WI, passed away peacefully at home with her family at her side on December 1, 2020 at the age of 85.

Born September 22, 1935 in Datteln, Germany, Ela was a daughter of the late Cäcilie and Antonius Witte. At the age of 23 she moved to Caracas, Venezuela, on a 3-year contract with the German school there. She then accepted a teaching position in Guatemala, from which Ela returned to Caracas to marry Herbert Plaut. Together they raised 2 daughters. She continued teaching German as a World Language in Caracas, for a total of 30 years.

Ela enjoyed spending every possible moment with her family, as well as meeting new people and traveling the world. While she devoted a lot of time to her husband and daughters, she also loved spending time with her many good friends. In addition, she really liked going to the beach, swimming, singing in the church choir, organizing, and leading the activity program at the German Senior Center, as well as being on the Parish Council. As a homemaker she loved to bake and entertain. Everybody that came to her home was always welcomed with home-made pastries and cakes. She was crafty and had a real talent for sewing, pottery and latch hooking carpets. She was also an avid collector of nativity scenes, which she shared by having people come visit her at Christmas time to see her display. Together with her husband and daughters, Ela made it a goal to travel somewhere exciting every year. Even after her daughters left home, after she became a widow, and even after she moved to Stevens Point, Ela continued to pursue her love for seeing the world. Her many travels took her to more than 42 foreign countries. Everyone who met her heard her motto: "learn languages and travel the world". Ela loved to meet new people. She could strike up a conversation with anyone. Ela was always happy when she listened to classical and world music, no matter if it was live or on a recording.  She instilled this love for music in her daughters, and Ela made it a point to come to every recital her daughters and grandchildren played.

Ela is survived by her daughters, Nicole (Kurt) Van Tiem of Stevens Point, WI, and Fabiola (Tom) Canale of Fort Collins, CO; six grandchildren Antony, Natalie (Quest) Meyer, Frederick, Tatiana, Kristoph and Felix; one great-granddaughter Thérèze, one sister Hildegard Herwig, one brother Heinz Witte, several nieces and nephews, and many good friends.

Ela was preceded in death by her husband Herbert, her brother Klaus Witte, and her sister Maja Welschof, all of whom she missed dearly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on December 15, 2020 at 10:30 am (Central Time) at St. Peter's Catholic Church. The Revs. Arul Joseph Visuvasam and Robert Schaller will officiate. The burial will follow immediately after Mass at Guardian Angel Cemetery. Masks and social distancing will be required at the Church.

If you are not comfortable attending, or are in ill health, online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com

The Mass will be LIVESTREAMED on Facebook on the St. Peter website - http://stpeter.us/

The Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to "Food for the Poor". www.foodforthepoor.org

Nicole, Fabiola and their families would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported Ela with their prayers, kindness and compassion in her final days.

Here is the link to view the Funeral Mass: https://www.facebook.com/SaintPeterStevensPoint/videos/670109953665282/

Below is the service of Final Committal at Cemetery