Mary Ann Plummer

Mary Ann Plummer 1929-2022 Mary Ann Plummer, 93, of Twin Falls, Idaho, passed away in her sleep on December 7, 2022, after a long and valiant battle with age related illnesses. Mary Ann was born on February 27, 1929, in Dallas, South Dakota to Maurice and Anna Maier Orr. She attended school there, moving with her family to Gering, Nebraska while she was still in grade school. While attending Gering grade school, she began to show her talent for academics, receiving high grades and honors for her achievements. In her high school years, she majored in commercial and home economics, and participated in the National Honor Society, sports, band, the school play and K-9. After graduating second in her class, she received numerous scholarships and attended Chadron State College to gain her teaching certificate. By the time she was 17, she had her first teaching position in a one-room school in the Nebraska Panhandle. It was there that she met her future husband, Harvey Plummer, who had come from Missouri to help friends with the harvest. They were engaged in January of 1948, and married on Easter Sunday of the same year, beginning a 70-year union marked by love and affection that only Harvey’s passing could end. Their daughter Cheryl was born while they were still on the farm, and they moved to the Gering area before their son Harvey was born the next year. After taking some time to raise her little ones, she returned to teaching—this time in a two-room school where she taught grades 5-8 and took on sports and social activities for the school. She often distributed food and clothing to make sure her less fortunate students were fed and had warm clothing in the cold Nebraska winters. She was able to take on her teaching responsibilities with the support of her large and generous family of 10. As the oldest daughter, she often helped her mother care for the younger siblings when they were small and they in turn, helped their mother take care of Mary Ann’s children. It was a busy time for the young family with Harvey gone for months at a time for his long-haul trucking business and Mary Ann’s work with her school. While she shouldered many responsibilities, this small but mighty woman proved herself up to the task. It was a wonderful time of Sunday dinners with the extended family and many celebrations as siblings married and grew their own families. Upon the passing of her parents, she took it upon herself to assume the role of the matriarch of this now big family that included her siblings, 21 grandchildren and a still growing number of great grandchildren. She rarely missed a birthday, wedding, or other celebration in the Orr family. The family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho in 1960 to take on an opportunity to grow Harvey’s trucking business. Mary Ann left teaching to help Harvey with the business but also began her career at Cactus Pete’s. She started in the office but worked for many years as the purchasing agent and warehouse manager for Cactus Pete’s and the Horseshu Club, serving as a mentor to many and making lifetime friends. When Harvey became the terminal manager for HatchCo in Rock Springs, mom helped him run the office, she also managed the business end of the truck leasing company they began after returning to Twin Falls. She continued to manage this company until shortly before her death. Mary Ann and Harvey were always very social and generous with family and friends old and new. Mom was an active member of Ladies of the Elks, serving as president twice, Magic Valley Neighbors, the Red Hat Club, Good Sam, the Moose, a lifetime member of the Methodist church and attended many events with her husband’s interests. She was an excellent cook who loved entertaining and cooking for friends—no one was surprised to receive an invitation to join 40 or more people for a last minute dinner and card party. Along with her husband, she would buy so much food that it could only be shared or given away. And that they did. They never visited their children and grandchildren without a car full of food and friends rarely left their home empty handed. They were avid card players, loved camping and traveling, and were lucky to have such good friends and a long, and happy life—not always easy, often lean, but full of joy. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Anna Orr and husband Harvey and is survived by her children Cheryl Brush of Boise, and Harvey Plummer (Lynn) of Chandler, AZ. She is also survived by her grandchildren Justin Plummer (Tracy) of Columbus, OH, Karri Plummer (Dona) of Victoria, BC, Kristin McGee of Boise and Adrienne Nielsen (Chris) of Phoenix. AZ. She leaves behind nine great grandchildren Jake, Paige, Tristan, Cameron, Maddie, Paitynn, Abbey, Kayla and Caine. Grandchildren Brandon Plummer and Hailey Ernest and her son-in-law Mike Brush preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother and sisters Dick (Vonnie) Orr, Donna Keller, Keitha Bartlett, and sister-in-law Brenda Orr along with numerous nieces and nephews. Her parents and her brothers Norman “Bud” Orr, Donald Orr, Dean Orr (Leah), Lyle Orr and sister Wanda Schmidt and husband Clarence, and brother-in law Gerald passed before. She is survived by her Stark family brother-in-laws Dale (Janice), Jerry (Marilyn), Gaylen (Shirley), Woodrow (Cora) and Kent (Anita) and sister-in-laws Maxine and Arlene. Sister-in laws Della and Arlene preceded her. Mary Ann would want to express her appreciation to the many friends and neighbors who provided such joy in better times and much support as she declined. Special thanks to the Thursday lunch group, Fran, Alice, Robin, Deb and Molly who joined in so many good times over the years and watched over her in the last years. To neighbors Helen, Susan, Glenn, Mike, Joe and Tammy who watched out for her, shared food and company, thank you. To friends Phil, Kristi and others too numerous to list, who provided company, ran errands and offered help when she needed it. To her caregivers at home Debbie and Lucretia, you allowed her to remain in her home as long as possible. And to Dr. Ippolito and his staff and the staff of Syringa Assisted Living and Serenity Transitional Care in Twin Falls, Meridian Transitional Care and Signature Hospice, your loving care and kindness was a much-appreciated gift to Mary Ann and her family. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 6, 2023, at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, Idaho. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Boise, Idaho when she will be laid to rest with her husband in the Veteran’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to your favorite charity. We will all miss our sweet mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend, but she will remain in our hearts forever—until we meet again. To view a tribute video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/S7PW2762B2SKMN5B