Laura J Plekes

Laura Plekes, a beautiful soul, passed away on Saturday November 16, 2024 at 6:30pm and rejoined her Heavenly Father. Laura was 84 and had lived a life full of family, friends, faith, laughter, and tears. As the youngest of seven, she was surrounded by a loving family from the moment that she was born. Over eight decades, she celebrated with a family that grew to include 3 children, 5 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and literally hundreds of nephews, nieces, and cousins, as well as some step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren she had yet to meet. Her parents stressed the importance of family to Laura and her siblings. Many of her siblings owned homes in Florida near one another where they would spend each winter with their families. Laura and her husband Walter looked forward to this time with family. They also attended an annual summer family reunion that created joyous memories for hundreds of cousins who regularly gathered and broke bread for sixty years. While she could still travel, Laura never missed a reunion.

As an elementary school teacher, she poured her passion for people and teaching into the lives of thousands of her students over many years. An ardent believer in God, she was active in the Ludington Avenue Baptist Church. Even in retirement, she shared her love of God with her friends and neighbors at the Mason City Area Nursing Home in Mason City, Illinois, where she helped to lead worship services. There she also enjoyed a wide variety of activities and conversations with her fellow residents and caretakers. 

She loved learning, which explains her career choice, and was a life-long learner. She earned her Bachelor’s degree early and continued studying for her Master’s right up until her retirement. In her spare time, she enjoyed researching her family history, sewing, and reading as well. Laura was fascinated by all of God’s creatures. Throughout the years, she was fascinated by birds, helped rescue and rehabilitate squirrels and woodchucks, and loved pets of all types; dogs, cats, birds, fish, it didn’t matter to Laura. She could find charm and humor in just about anything. 

She will be remembered for her infectious laugh, always being the peacemaker and her wry sense of humor. But she experienced loss in her life as well. She survived two husbands, her parents, and five of her siblings. 

Laura Joyce Hibbard Plekes was born on January 8, 1940 in Owosso, Michigan to Ada Grace (McCaslan) & Dallas E. Hibbard. Following the death of her father Dallas in 1955, Ada married Clifford Arnold. Clifford passed away in 1997 and Ada soon followed in 1998. She survived her siblings Mildred, Bryan, Leolan, Lamar, and Orlo, and is survived by her sister Arlis.

Laura married Russell E. Crossett and they had one son Lawrence Russell “Larry” Crossett. Russell passed away in 1973 and Laura then married Walter Plekes. Walter passed away in 2009. Laura and Walter shared two daughters Kirsten R. Plekes Eastman Becker and Felicia A. Plekes Tallent. Along the way, Laura gained three daughter and sons in-law, Amy Crossett, Dave Becker, and Tom Tallent. She enjoyed her grandchildren, Katherine Jill Ann Buss (Christian), Elizabeth Newquist (Alex), Killian Becker, Joshua Becker, and Caitlin Grantham and her great grandchildren: Oliver and Calvin Buss, Christopher Thunder, and Leia Newquist. 

She spent her entire professional career as an elementary school teacher in the Ludington Michigan School District. Laura was a loving daughter, sister, wife and mother, and while she will be sorely missed, her impact on the world around her will last for generations. Laura’s funeral services will be held 11:30am Saturday, November 23, 2024 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Linden Chapel, 209 E. Broad St., Linden, MI 48451, with Chaplin Dave Becker and Pastor Amy Crossett officiating. Interment will follow at Byron Cemetery where Laura will be laid to rest beside her Husband, Walter. Visitation will be held 10am – 11am on Saturday at the funeral home prior to the service.