In Loving Memory of Rosemary Plonkey

Rosemary ‘Ann’ Plonkey was born on March 8, 1943 in Anna, Illinois.  She went to Heaven peacefully on September 25, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  She married Robert ‘Bob’ Hapke on December 26, 1958 in East St. Louis, Illinois. Bob went into the Army and Ann remained at home with her parents to finish high school and graduated with honors from Chester High School in 1960 in Chester, Illinois.  She was also in 4H doing pantry and sewing projects.  The Army brought Bob and Ann to Colorado Springs, Colorado.  They had their first son, Robert Lane Hapke, on December 2, 1961, currently of Castle Rock, Colorado.  They had their second son, Brian Lee Hapke on December 12, 1962.  He sadly passed away on June 28, 1964.  On September 14, 1966, they had their daughter, Terri Ann Hapke, currently living with her husband, Rich Parks, in Calhan, Colorado.  Ann was a ‘stay at home mom’ for several years.  In the early 1970’s, Ann went to El Paso Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado for her Teacher’s Aide Certification.  In 1974, she became a Teacher’s Aide at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School (Colorado Springs, Colorado) and then in 1975 the Assistant School Secretary.  In 1976, her career took her to Will Roger’s Elementary School (Colorado Springs, Colorado) as the School Secretary there.  For many years, Bob and Ann took their family back to the Mid-West each Summer to see family in Northern and Southern Illinois.  In later years, the family went on some other road trip vacations to the Grand Canyon, Disneyland and Nashville.  On July 19, 1978, Bob and Ann divorced.  She continued to work at Will Rogers Elementary for several more years.  On November 28, 1980, Ann married Richard ‘Dick’ Menke in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  They lived in Colorado Springs for the first 4 years of their marriage.  She left Will Roger’s Elementary School in 1984 when her and Dick moved to Lake George, Colorado. Ann worked various jobs in the Florrisant/Lake George area and then in September of 1987, she began her career as the School Secretary at Lake George Elementary School.  Her husband, Dick, also worked there as the Custodian.  They truly enjoyed working and spending time together, as well as going to Mountain Man Rendezvous, camping, a trip to Disneyworld, many road trip vacations, and spending time with family and friends.  On January 14, 1991, Ann lost her husband, Dick, to Leukemia.  Ann continued to work at Lake George Elementary until 1998 when she retired.  She moved back to Colorado Springs, Colorado shortly after her retirement and in 1999, she got a part-time job at the First Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado where she worked for a short time.  That same year, Ann met and married her husband Kenneth ‘Ken’ Plonkey in Pueblo, Colorado.  Ann and Ken lived in Pueblo for the first several years of their marriage.  They then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, so that Ann could be closer to family as she lovingly helped take care of her grandchildren in Calhan, Colorado at least once a week.  Ken and Ann enjoyed going on cruises (9 total) together, which took them to the Eastern Caribbean (two times), Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, the Western Caribbean (three times), the Southern Caribbean and the Panama Canal.  Ann would just light up when she talked about their cruise adventures!  They also enjoyed World Food Dinners, dining out, playing board games, building jigsaw puzzles and spending time with family and friends.  In December 2010, they added ‘Cutie’ kitty to their household. She brought a lot of joy to them and was a great companion to them both.  On October 11, 2016, Ann lost her husband, Ken, due to health issues.  Ann continued to stay busy taking care of Cutie and spending time with family and friends.  Items she did for fun over the years were camping, geocaching, crocheting, making crafts, which often included her daughter and/or grandkids, playing games (specifically Rook and Rummikub), watching game shows (Wheel of Fortune, America Says and Family Feud), watching Perry Mason and  Matlock and last but not least, going to Cripple Creek to play the slots and also to see the amazing plays at the Butte Theater with family and friends.  Her most proud moments included spending time with her family.  She was always such a positive and loving influence on all of them.  Ann just made everything more fun.  One of her proudest accomplishments was becoming a published author with her book, ‘Premature Ascension’.  Her goal was to write a book once she retired and she did!  She was also an AMAZING cook, deviled egg maker and pie baker.  She was a faithful member of the Central United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado and she was a very good example to her kids giving them a faith-based upbringing.  Ann is preceded in death by: her parents, Charles and Mary (Parker) Tripp; her son, Brian Lee Hapke; Lane and Terri’s dad, Robert ‘Bob’ Hapke; her husband, Richard ‘Dick’ Menke; and her husband, Kenneth ‘Ken’ Plonkey.  She is survived by:  her 2 children, Lane Hapke and Terri Parks (Rich); 3 step-children, Shannon Plonkey (Cinnamon), Erik Plonkey (Kellie), Carla Miller (Michael); 9 grandchildren, Cody Hapke (Elena), Logan Hapke (Heather), Dalton Parks, Natalie Parks, Torry Plonkey (Ashley), Tonni Daley (Kevin), Tally Plonkey, Olivia Plonkey, Savannah Plonkey, Sam Plonkey, Desmond Miller, Sophia Miller; 4 great grandchildren, Hadley Hapke, Scarlett Plonkey, Colton Plonkey and Alexandra Daley; many, many friends; and of course her kitty, Cutie.

The family would like to thank Pastor Eunjoo Yi and Reverend Judy Owsley for their frequent visits with Ann.  The family would also like to thank the Healthcare Resort of Colorado Springs and New Century Hospice for their love and care for Ann.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 4373 Galley Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80915.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 4373 Galley Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80915; The American Cancer Society, 1445 N. Union Boulevard, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909; or The Butte Theater, 139 E. Bennett Avenue, Cripple Creek, Colorado 80813.