Mary Ann Plotke

Memorial service for Ann Plotke will be held 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 17, 2017 at Gillette Memorial Chapel to honor her wonderful time on this earth. Ann Plotke, 77, a 40 year resident of Gillette, Wyoming lost her long time battle with COPD and passed peacefully from this life on Monday, April 3, 2017 at Banner Desert Hospital in Mesa, AZ with her loving and devoted husband by her side. Ann was born July 1st 1939 to Mills and Polly Sitton in the small town of Chickamauga, Georgia, known for its civil war battles and rich southern history from the area. Ann jokingly told people that she was born three days short of being a firecracker; little did she know how much 4th of July excitement she brought to everyone she met. In August of 1962, Ann met the love of her life, Phil Plotke in Charlotte N.C. where he was stationed serving our country in the U.S.A.F. They married in September and for the next 16 years moved to various military locations around the country until Phil retired in 1977 and settled in Gillette where Phil took a job in the coal industry. Ann wasn't one to sit idle at home and wait for retirement. She went to work for Stockmen's Bank in the bookkeeping department, upon the bank's closing she worked briefly in the office of Hillcrest Auto Repair Shop. Eventually she found the job that best suited her personality spent the next 20+ years working at Frontier Lanes bowling center. That was her dream job! She enjoyed meeting the public with a big smile and a southern drawl "welcome", Ann made many lifelong friends during this time. Phil finally convinced her to retire and start spending time with him in Arizona; he told her if she wasn't going to retire with him she needed to come out in the garage so he could teach her how to start the snow blower. So for the last five winters the couple became "snow birds" and wintered in Mesa, AZ. It was in Mesa where Ann's health began to deteriorate. Ann enjoyed life, working with the public, playing pinochle with friends, bowling, camping and occasionally fishing with Phil. Until her failing health would no longer allow, she loved gardening and growing beautiful flowers. She enjoyed home cooking for friends until the end. But, most of all, she cherished her time with family and friends. Ann was the loving mother of three children, a daughter Rhonda Liles, two sons, Johnny Phillip Plotke and Jason Peyton Plotke. Ann is survived by her husband; Phil of Gillette, her daughter and son-in-law Rhonda Liles and Windell of Austin, Texas, two brothers; Lamar Sitton and James Sitton, four grandchildren; Johnny's daughter Amber Plotke, Rhonda's son and daughters Lane Liles, Paige Cooper, and Brooke Crawford, three great-grandchildren, Augustus Crawford, Bonnie Crawford and Isla Cooper. Ann was preceded in death by her parents Mills and Polly Sitton, one brother, Edward Sitton and sadly both of her sons Johnny Plotke and Jason Plotke. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations may be made to Gillette Youth Bowling Association in memory of Ann Plotke. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com