Hildegard Mathilde La Placa

Dee was a loving and caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, friend, and devout Christian. She passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

Dee was born in Bad Mergentheim, Germany on December 2, 1934. As a young girl, she and her brothers endured many hardships that go along with living in a country at war. Through it all, Dee remained close to God and focused her life on serving others in need.

After marrying a US soldier stationed in Germany in 1956, Dee moved to America and became a naturalized US citizen, an act that gave her immense pride. Dee and her husband “Bob” lived a happy, peaceful life together with their large, loving family until his death in 2002.

The last 21 years, Dee enjoyed her life by spending time with family, attending church, currently Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, conducting bible studies, teaching German, making new friends, watching movie classics while knitting and playing bingo with her friends at Ventana Winds Retirement Community, where she called home the last three years.

Dee is preceded in death by her loving husband, Arthur B. LaPlaca, her daughter, Cassandra Jean Gonzales (Ernie) and her brother Rudolf Worlen (Annie). She is survived by her daughters Roberta Franke (Rick), Fran Bartlett (Rod), Suzette Long (Curtis), her son Richard LaPlaca (Gail), her brother Franz Worlen, her 14 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, and extensive nieces and nephews.

Please join the family at

Advantage Golden Door Chapel

11211 W. Michigan Ave., Youngtown, AZ 85363,

for a service honoring Dee’s life on

Wednesday, March 22nd at 10:00 am.

Internment will occur following the service at the

National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85024

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AdvantageGoldenDoor.com for the La Placa family.