Ceil Plese, 98, of Madison, S.D., formerly of Freeport. IL, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Peaceful Pines in Madison, S.D. Services will be held August 10, with visitation at 9:30am, and 10:00am Mass both at St. Rose of Lima Catholic church Wilmington, IL, followed by a luncheon at the church. Graveside burial will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Elwood, IL at 1:30 pm.

Ceil was born on July 3, 1928 in Joliet, IL to Clarence and Celia (Kinzler) Schmitz. She graduated from Joliet Central High School in 1946. Ceil married the love of her life, Leo Plese, on December 18, 1954 at St. Rose of Lima in Wilmington, IL. They followed his career and lived in California, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Utah and Illinois, and raised 7 children along the way. When her children were older, she worked as a secretary in the financial aid office at Benedictine University for many years. She loved following the sports teams and made many lifelong friends. She was a diehard Chicago Cubs fan and as a young girl would take the train downtown to catch double headers with her Dad. She enjoyed sports and cherished watching her grandchildren play. They moved from Lisle, IL to Dakota, IL in 1988 and she became a dedicated Aquin Bulldogs fan, attending her grandchildren’s games and becoming part of the community. She cherished her dear friends nicknamed the lunch bunch and stayed in touch with them even after moving to S.D. in 2022. She lived at Peaceful Pines Assisted Living, where she continued to follow her Cubbies. Everyone knew that meals were brought to her apartment when the Cubs were playing! Her family was everything to her, and she loved going on the annual fishing trips to Ely, MN, where she could play cards, fish, and spend time with family.

She is survived by her children: Greg (Wendy) Plese Ocala,FL; Annette (Marty) Janecke Wentworth, S.D.; Kathy (Shawn) Eaton DeKalb, IL; Monica (Al) Taylor Aurora, CO; Leo (Mary) Plese Blaine, MN; Mike (Laurie) Plese Murfreesboro, TN; son-in-law Larry Gainey North Aurora; 19 grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Leo; daughter Clare Gainey; parents; brother Clarence Schmitz; sister Jeanie Pennington; sister Doris Jean Puntney; granddaughter Margaret (Eaton) Rice; and great granddaughter Lena Mogler. We are thankful for the very special caregivers at Peaceful Pines in Madison, S. D. and Aseracare Hospice in Sioux Falls, S. D. who loved her and treated her like their own family. In lieu of flowers donations to either would be appreciated.