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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Pluth, Constance Marie

Age 93

PLUTH, Constance Marie (Age 93) Our beloved mother and grandmother, Connie Pluth, passed away on January 20, 2015.

We are grateful that she is at peace after 93 years of being the heart of our family.

Constance Marie Larsen was born on March 19, 1921 in Aurora, Minnesota.

She was the eldest daughter of Peter and Lucille Larsen.

She spent her youth living in the Tracy and Marshall, Minnesota area with her brother Eugene and sisters Norma and Betty.

During the Depression, Mom had to quit school after ninth grade and abandon her dream of becoming a nurse to help support her family.

Because of this, she and Dad always encouraged us to value education and sacrificed to provide it for us.

In 1941 Mom traveled by bus to San Diego, California and married our father Gerald Pluth.

He was from Early, Iowa and Mom had met him when he and her father worked on construction crews.

Dad was already working in the aircraft factory and Mom joined him there working as a “Rosie the Riveter”.

After their first three children were born there and one more in Meford, Oregon, Dad’s search for carpentry work and the outdoors brought them to Spokane, Washington where eight more children were born.

Mom’s days were filled with babies, laundry (lots of diapers), baking, cooking and tending a beautiful flower and vegetable garden which took up a full city lot.

She packed thousands of lunches which always included homemade desserts.

Walking in the door after school we were welcomed with the aroma of her home cooked meals.

Looking back, we marvel at what she did without complaint and seldom a thought for her own needs.

Mom and Dad devoted their entire lives to raising our family and spent countless hours taking us hunting, fishing, and picnicking at Lake Coeur d’ Alene.

Dad passed away suddenly in 1981 shortly after retiring.

For several years Mom was able to travel throughout the United States with Norma and visit Betty and our sister Mary in Texas.

She enjoyed her trips to Maui and New York and looked forward to camping and huckleberry picking with her grandchildren at Priest Lake.

During the past few years Mom was cared for lovingly and selflessly by her children Paul, Jerome and Karen, who built her home and lived with her.

We all spent many days caring for her, but to them we give our gratitude and love for making sure Mom was able to live her life at home.

Mom is survived by her twelve children: Joan Dunham (Charles), Gerald Pluth, Jr., Paul Pluth, Mary Wyatt, Jerome Pluth, Martin Pluth (Gail), Anne Pluth, Rita Moline (Bruce), Lynn Mair (Tim), Karen Pluth, Jeanne Pluth (John Stine), and Mark Pluth (June); her youngest sister Betty Heinrich (Marvin); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom was “Grandma Connie” to 23 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Private family services were held at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to House of Charity.

Please visit our Memorial website for Constance at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.