John “Jack” Platter, age 78, of Estherville, passed away Friday, January 29, 2010, at his home in Estherville. He was born on January 7, 1932, in Estherville, to John and Martha (Nielson) Platter.               

Jack graduated from Graettinger High School in 1950. He served his country in the United States Air Force, from 1950, until 1952. Jack was united in marriage to Betty Hanson on November 13, 1952, in Jackson, Minnesota.               

Jack owned and operated Platter Excavating from 1950, until 1980, in Estherville. Jack and Betty moved to Arizona, where he taught heavy equipment. He was a member of the V.F.W., American Legion, the Elks Club, a volunteer fireman for eighteen years and served on the City council for Estherville and Orleans. Jack enjoyed spending his spare time fishing, woodworking, gardening, restoring antique tractors and cars and making people laugh and pulling pranks. His true passion in life was his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.               

Jack is survived by his wife, Betty Platter of Estherville; two daughters, Deb Thiel, and her husband, Mark, of Estherville, and Tam Hauber, and her husband, Tom, of Spirit Lake; a brother, Lowell Platter, and his wife, Lois, of Graettinger; nine grandchildren, Angie Hoffman, and her husband, Greg, Heidi Schneider, and her husband, Jason, Sara Hauber, Amy Newman, and her husband, Clay, Chris Thiel, and his wife, Katrina, Chad Thiel, and his wife, Brandy, Jenny Coulter, and her husband, Jason, Nick Thiel, and his fiancé, Jen Atwood and Markus Thiel; and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.               

A memorial service will be held at 11:00A.M. Monday, February 1, 2010, at the Schuchert Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Jack’s name.