Dode Plunk, 99, of Pagosa Springs, Colo., passed away peacefully, surrounded by the loving presence of family on the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.
Dode was born at her family home in Cullison, Kan., on July 25, 1924. She was one of seven children born to Athel Taylor Chinn and Vina Mae Bobbit.
Dode’s childhood was spent around Liberal, Kan., where she met her sweetheart Thaine Plunk. Dode and Thaine were married in November of 1942. Dode and Thaine celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary shortly before he passed in 2016. Dode gave birth to their only child the following year while Thaine, who was serving in the Army, was stationed in North Carolina. About one year later, when Thaine left for Germany to fight in World War II, Dode remained with family in Kansas with their daughter, Patti.
Upon Thaine’s discharge from the Army, the family of three settled in the small farming community of Erick, Okla., where they ran the local Dairy Freeze. They later moved on to run a farm outside of town. Dode was a longtime teller at the local Bank of Erick, where she eventually retired before moving to Mission, Texas. Dode and Thaine made many wonderful friends in the Texas Valley and enjoyed going from park to park to listen to music jams.
Dode was an adventurer at heart. She and Thaine traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. She made numerous quilts and crafts throughout her lifetime. She took up painting after retirement and received awards for her newfound hobby. After relocating to Pagosa Springs she revived her passion for crocheting and donated numerous throws to shelters and organizations in Colorado.
Dode was preceded in death by her daughter, Patricia Stewart; her husband, Thaine Plunk; her mother and father; and her brothers and sisters, Robert, Zepha, Darl, Betty and Glenn.
She is survived by her grandchildren: Kanaka (Daniel) Perea, of Pagosa Springs, Colo., Fred (Karin) Stewart IV, of Strasburg, Colo.; Christi (Eldon) Weber, of Parker, Colo.; and Casey Stewart, of Pagosa Springs, Colo. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Karleigh Stewart, Kaitlin (Thomas) Phillips, Kasey Lyn Perea (Martin Rodriguez), Molly and Riley Weber, and Arianna Cashell Stewart, as well as her great-great-grandchildren, Harleigh and Hudson Phillips, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend thanks to the staff of Pine Ridge Extended Care Center who truly went above and beyond in caring for Dode (Dodie) over the last few years. Your love and support were more than evident in the tears, hugs and stories you shared. Words cannot express the thanks the family feels.
