In loving memory of
Margaret Jeanne Plonka
January 8, 2010
Margaret Jeanne Marr Plonka, age 70, of Quincy, IL died Friday, January 8, 2010, after a long illness. She was born December 7, 1939, in Alma, MI, the daughter of Glenn and Jeannie Spaulding Marr. On July 23, 1960, she married Robert Plonka in East Lansing, MI. He preceded her in death on October 17, 2008.
She attended Michigan State University, where she studied Psychology, and while working in an ice cream parlor met a curious, handsome man who ordered an egg in his milkshake. Always decisive, she knew then and there that she had met the father of her children. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Active in church and the community, she was at times: Brownie/Girl Scout leader, softball coach, member of the Quincy Chapter of Right to Life and the Adams County Association for Retarded Citizens. Additionally, she was an inaugural board member of Madonna House. An antique lover, lottery player, amateur private investigator, lover of all things slightly scandalous and politically intriguing from the British Royal Family to the Kennedys, she had a wicked sense of humor, rich imagination, and a generous fun-loving spirit. She had the gift of truly understanding the heart of a child. Family and friendship were her passions in life. She thrived on human connection and truly empathized with people of all walks of life. Her greatest role was that of loving mother of six, grandmother to 12.
Left behind are: six children: Susan Plonka of Quincy; Deanne Montgomery and husband, Nelson, of Buffalo, NY; Steven Plonka and wife, Martinha, of Fredericksburg, VA; Caroline Bowman and husband, Doug, of Williamsburg, VA; Kristen Duffy and husband, Kevin, of New York, NY; and Brian Plonka of Quincy; and twelve grandchildren: Schaenon, Maelan and Aedan Denum all of Quincy, Ryan, Dallin, Aaron, Carissa and Benjamin Plonka of Fredericksburg, VA, Daniel, Hannah, David and Sarah Bowman of Williamsburg, VA.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Services: Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.
Visitaiton: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials: Adams County Association for Retarded Citizens or Transitions of Western Illinois
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