Timothy John ("TJ") Plenke

life story

Sing loud, play hard

About TJ

Friends and family are mourning the loss of local musician TJ Plenke, who died January 15th at Regions Hospital in Saint Paul. He was 65.

An accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter, TJ performed on and organized open-mic nights at a variety of Twin Cities coffee shops and bars where his life partner, Mary Schmitz, sometimes accompanied him. He and another local musician, John Seymour, collaborated on live shows around town. TJ live-streamed solo performances on his Pickinpedaler Facebook site and posted songs on his YouTube channel and his webpage at ReverbNation.

His day job was as a maintenance technician at the Days Hotel on University Avenue in Minneapolis, where he worked for the past 14 years.

TJ celebrated five years of sobriety in 2024.

Timothy John Plenke was born June 28, 1959, to Ferne and Tom Plenke of Minneapolis. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Minneapolis, Winona (Minnesota) Senior High School, and Armstrong High School in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Tim joined the Marines in 1979 and trained as a tank crewman. He was discharged in 1982. During his service, he received rifle sharpshooter and pistol marksman commendations and was awarded a medal for good conduct.

Survivors include his life partner, Mary Schmitz of Saint Paul; a sister, Jan Eisner (Walter), of Saint Paul and Sora, Panama; a brother, Mark Plenke (Shirley Holm), of San Francisco; two children, Michael and Kathleen; a nephew, Max Plenke-Hammond of Chicago; an aunt, Nancy Kay Reuter of Asheville, N.C.; and 13 cousins.

Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

A music celebration of life will be held January 30 at DiGideo’s, 425 West 7th Street In Saint Paul, from 5-10 p.m. It will be an opportunity for friends and family to share their memories of TJ.