Plumb, Mrs. Francis (Gretchen) (Parker) (1918 - 1989)

PLUMB, PARKER, CALKINS, BUTHMAN, MAUCK, HAWKINS, BAUGHMAN, MCBRIDE

Posted By: Janet M. Schuldt (email)
Date: 1/9/2022 at 15:05:41

Harlan News-Advertiser, Harlan, Shelby, Iowa Friday, November 24, 1989 Page 11

Gretchen Plumb, 71

HARLAN - Gretchen Ruth Plumb, the daughter of John G. and Jessie (Calkins) Parker was born Nov. 20, 1918, near Defiance. She died Nov. 8, 1989, at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, just 12 days before her 71st birthday. She attended school in Harlan where she was homecoming queen her senior year. After graduating in 1937, she worked in the bookkeeping department of the Shelby County State Bank for a year and a half.

Nov. 24, 1937, she married Francis B. Plumb at Rockport, M0. They were the parents of 12 children. After their marriage, they farmed in the Tennant area for a time before moving to CA. In 1946, they returned to Shelby County where they settled near Redline, where they operated Plumb Tiling, dozing, and insulation business. She was an essential part of operating the clerical part of the business. Their sons continue to operate this business today. She enjoyed her family, grandchildren, and many friends. After the death of her husband on June 30, 1980, she continued to live near Redline until June of 1989, when she and her daughter, Phyllis moved into Harlan. She was a member of the Redline Church of Christ and the PWC Club.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Patty Sue; three sisters, Orpha, Gladys, and Mamie; and a brother, Roy. Surviving her are five daughters, Jan (Mrs. Jack) Buthman of Lakewood, CO.; Julie Mauck of Mulvane, KS.; Phyllis Plumb of Harlan; Susan (Mrs. Don) Hawkins of Audubon; and Lori (Mrs. Jim) Baughman of Kirkman; six sons, Benton of Harlan; Richard and Steve both of Kirkman; Phillip of Shawnee, OK.; Alfred of Irwin and Paul of Boone; 19 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; a sister, Gertrude McBride of Boulder, CO., nieces, and nephews, and other relatives.

Funeral services were held on Nov 11, 1989, at Pauley Funeral Home with Roy North and Tom Gaer of Redline Church of Christ, officiating. Burial was in Harlan cemetery with John Plumb, Shay Mauck, Brian Plumb, Redgie Plumb, Gabe Baughman, Travis Baughman, and Brandon Baughman serving as honorary casket bearers. Casket bearers were Tim Plumb, Andy Plumb, Cory Mauck, Jay Buthman, Jeff Buthman and Jeremy Plumb.