Christel Ruth Elsner Plowden

A Life Well Lived In Loving Memory of Christel Ruth Elsner Plowden

Christel Ruth Elsner Plowden was born on September 28, 1933, in Duisburg, Germany to Fritz Elsner and Friedel Oberndorf Elsner. She grew up in the idyllic small towns of Germany during a time of both beauty and tremendous hardship. Her father, Fritz, was a master automobile mechanic and designer, admired for his ingenuity and innovation. Among the very few Europeans to own an American automobile in that era, he proudly drove a 1929 Buick. His work designing a diesel gasification unit earned him special recognition from the German Auto Club. Christel’s mother, Friedel, was an accountant and business office manager whose strength and determination guided the family through difficult years. Christel shared her childhood with her sister Inge and brother Wolfgang.

During the turmoil of World War II, Friedel courageously took her three young children to Austria to escape the horrors of war. Those early experiences shaped Christel’s resilience, independence, and adventurous spirit — qualities that defined her throughout her life.

Even as a young girl, Christel possessed remarkable courage and self-reliance. At around twelve years old, she rode her bicycle more than 100 kilometers across Bavaria to visit her grandmother, camping and cooking meals along the way before returning home the same way she had come. That fearless independence remained part of her character forever.

Christel attended university in Germany, earning her teaching certificate and later becoming a primary school teacher. She deeply loved teaching and remained connected with many of her students and their families throughout her lifetime. Her love of learning and curiosity about the world extended far beyond the classroom.

Her adventurous nature led her into pursuits uncommon for women of her time. Christel became one of the few women in Europe involved in hunting. She completed firearms training, joined a sportsman’s club, purchased a side-by-side shotgun, and enjoyed hunting game in Germany’s famed Black Forest.

Fate intervened when her brother Wolfgang, serving in the German Army alongside joint forces in Europe near Frankfurt, met an American soldier named Miles H. Plowden Jr. Wolfgang invited Miles to spend Christmas with the Elsner family, and during that visit Miles and Christel began a relationship that would change the course of her life. The couple married on August 18, 1962, in Miltenberg Am Main, Germany.

After Miles completed his military service, Christel immigrated to the United States on June 7, 1963, settling in Winter Haven, Florida. She was warmly embraced by the Plowden family and always spoke lovingly and reverently of her in-laws, Miles H. Sr. and Alletha “Mimi and Pappy” Plowden, who loved her dearly in return. Christel treasured painting and creating pastel drawings with Mimi, and enjoyed watching football and fishing with Pappy at Little Gasparilla Island.

Together, Christel and Miles built a home and life on Greenway Drive near the family home on 21st Street. They welcomed daughter Crystal and later their son Hampton. Married for 20 years, Christel always maintained a deep respect and affection for Miles and the Plowden family throughout her life.

Education and learning remained at the center of Christel’s professional life. Over the years, she served as a teacher, manager of Dubey’s Book Store in Winter Haven, librarian at the Winter Haven Public Library, and later as a reference librarian at Polk Community College. Countless students remembered her kindness, patience, and skill in helping them with research papers and academic assignments.

It was during her years at Polk Community College that she met her beloved companion and soulmate, Gene Sargent. Gene was a true Renaissance man — a graduate of the Sorbonne, professor of Chinese philosophy in Beijing, accomplished pianist, private pilot, golfer, outdoorsman, and hunter. Together they shared a profound bond built on adventure, intellect, music, art, travel, camping, and a love of the outdoors. Their years together brought Christel immense happiness. Sadly, Gene preceded her in death following a brief illness.

Later in life, Christel became a house mother at Florida Southern College, where she positively influenced and nurtured the lives of many young women.

Friendship and family were central to Christel’s life. She faithfully made her “rounds” visiting friends throughout the county and cherished coffee and kuchen gatherings with dear friends Bill and Hedi Hancock. She remained close to the Hancock daughters — Beatrice, Kirsten, and Mandy — who continued to be loving and treasured friends. Christel frequently house-sat and cared for animals for friends while they traveled, and she possessed a remarkable gift for connecting with people. Whether meeting strangers or lifelong companions, she always found common ground and formed lasting friendships around the world.

Christel was an avid reader, writer, and poet with a lifelong passion for learning. She loved classical music deeply and sang for many seasons with the choir at the Bach Festival Society of Lakeland. She was also a founding member of The Imperial

Recorder Consort who performed throughout the county, an experience that brought her great joy and companionship.

Her yard remained one of her favorite places of peace and relaxation, where she lovingly tended what she affectionately called “her weeds.” On her 80th birthday, she planted a lychee tree in memory of the magnificent lychee tree at Mimi and Pappy’s home on 21st Street — a living symbol of family, memory, and continuity.

Christel was fiercely independent, adventurous, intelligent, and compassionate. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren proudly carry forward her spirit of curiosity, adventure, resilience, and love for life.

A faithful child of God, Christel passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026. She is survived by her daughter, Crystal (Thomas) “Cryssi” Williams; granddaughters Stephani (Todd) Lewis and great-granddaughter Abigail; daughters Sara Hope and Julianne of Colorado; son Hampton (Diane) Plowden; grandchildren Treva (Ian Lopez), Taylor (Amanda), and Tucker (Belinda) Plowden; and great-grandchildren Avery, Charlotte, Harrison, Kyuss Lopez, Warren, and Romi Plowden.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday June 3, 2026, located at North Ridge Church, 2250 SR 17 South, Haines City, FL Visitation at 1PM with service to follow at 2PM. A fellowship gathering will take place after the service.

Her life was one of courage, intellect, kindness, and adventure — a life richly lived and deeply loved.