Laura Kathryn (Njos) Plachek, age 94, of Miles City, MT, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2017 at Friendship Villa Care Center in Miles City.
Laura was born in Wildrose, ND, on December 23, 1923, daughter of John and Kristi (Husby) Njos. Her parents were Norwegian immigrants who homesteaded on the plains of North Dakota. She walked to a country school and attended high school in Williston, ND, graduating in 1942. Following graduation, she was employed at the mail order department of Sears in Williston. While working at Sears, Laura caught the eye of a debonair young man, Stanley Plachek, who was an employee of the rival J.C. Penney store. They were married on May 31, 1947. Following their marriage, they moved to Drake, ND, where Stanley first became a manager for J.C. Penney. While in Drake, daughter Judy was born.
Stanley was then transferred to the Penney stores in Red Lodge, MT, and Worland, WY where daughter JoAnne was born, and finally to Miles City, MT. Stanley died in 2001.
Laura and Stanley were avid fisherpersons who learned to fly fish while in Red Lodge. They managed to find local area fishing spots and traveled during the summers to the Beartooth and Big Horn Mountains, and to visit Stan’s family in Sheridan, WY. While living in Red Lodge, Laura was a participant in the first Festival of Nations celebration where she represented her Scandinavian heritage by dressing in the costume of a Norwegian bride.
Laura had an abiding love for raising roses and other flowers. She was active in her church circle at First Lutheran Church. She was on a bowling team for a number of years. She took up bridge, which became one of her passions, and became known for her skill even extending to duplicate bridge. Laura was a wonderful cook and created food based on her Norwegian heritage, including lefse and spritz. She was also a sports fan, especially of baseball, as she played softball when she was young. She listened to all the local football, basketball, and baseball games on the radio, and watched the games on television.
Laura was adventuresome and enjoyed travel with her family and later in her daughter’s motor home. She was open to any kind of new experience and loved seeing new places and meeting new people. She loved going dancing and listening to old time music, especially the Miles City Bluegrass Festival.
She was a doting grandmother who provided child care and babysitting at a moment’s notice. Laura loved playing any type of games with her grandchildren and taught them how to lose at poker. Her grandchildren spent as much time with her as possible and she helped them whenever she could, a favor that was returned when she advanced in age.
Laura was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church (ELCA), the Town and Country Club, the Elks, and many bridge clubs.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Eaton, an infant sister and her husband Stanley. She is survived by daughters Judy (Bob) Zadow of Miles City, JoAnne (Dale) Robinson of Nisswa, MN, grandchildren Erik Zadow of Portland, OR, Marisa Zadow of Bozeman, MT, Aaron Zadow of Miles City, and Nicole (Brian) Malone of Boone, IA, and great-grandchildren Elijah, Michael Stanley, and Claire Katherine Rose.
A visitation will be held at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City from 1:00-5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5. Funeral Services will be held at First Lutheran Church in Miles City on Saturday, January 6 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Steve Rice presiding. Following graveside committal at Custer County Cemetery, a reception will be held at First Lutheran Church. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday January 5, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday January 6, 2018
First Lutheran Church
512 Cale Ave
Miles City, MT
Interment
Following Services
Saturday January 6, 2018
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday January 5, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday January 6, 2018
First Lutheran Church
512 Cale Ave
Miles City, MT
Interment
Following Services
Saturday January 6, 2018
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
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Denise Harvey says
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you honor the life of Laura.
Denise Oberlander Harvey
Emily says
I am very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the promise God gives us for the future, that He will soon end all reasons for distress, even sickness and death. (Revelation 21:4) If you would like to learn more about this beautiful hope, feel free to visit JW.org.
Kay Carlson says
Dear Joanne and family,
Your mom was the sweetest lady. She will be missed by so many. Sending you my love.
Jim Linnell says
Dear Joanne,
So sorry for your loss. Your mom and your dad are together once again. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Bryan & Shannon Holmen says
Our prayers.
Shirley Rolf says
We are thinking of you guys
Lana Rae (Ek) says
Laura was a wonderful woman and a dear friend to my mom. She will be missed. Love to the whole family. Keep all the happy memories and know she is at peace now.
Amy Craven says
Dear JoAnne,
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Warm regards,
Amy Craven
Nancy Torgrimson Gerch says
Sending you love and hugs across the miles. I have wonderful memories of growing up in the neighborhood and hanging out at your house. Your Mom was a great lady.
Jesse Leidholt says
Laura was a very special lady. She was so much fun to play cards with. She would sit and say, “I just don’t know what to do”, and then proceed to wipe you off the boards. And all the while the sweetest smile on her face.
Peggy Jerrel says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this difficult time.
Lee and Amber Richardson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My mother, Hazel Richardson, also sends her thoughts and prayers to her bridge playing friend.
Cara Willson & family says
Judy, Aaron and families, We were Laura’s next door neighbors for 8 wonderful years. You couldn’t ask for better neighbors than the Placheks. They were so good to my two children. Mrs. Plachek was always so friendly and sweet. Cherish the memories!
Celia Elaine Thompson Johnson says
When I was a little girl in Worland, WY, the Placheks lived down the street from me. I loved to go to their home to visit and could feel the love in their family. Judy and I played together and I considered her my best friend; I was very sad when they moved to MT. I have never forgotten them and was sad to learn of the death of Judy’s and JoAnne’s parents; they positively impacted the many people whose lives they touched.
Celia (Thompson) Johnson of Worland, WY – now from Brimfield, IL