Marla Rae was born September 18, 1963 with a sparkle in her crystal blue eyes and a pep in her step that she blessed us with for the rest of her 62 years. Marla passed away December 6, 2025 fighting a battle no one should be faced with.
Marla was born to Vaughn Stewart (Bud) Goplen and Bette Lue Schott. She joined Mark, Melody, Mitch and Miles. Marla completed their family. As the youngest, there was no shortage of antics or guidance from her siblings. She and her friends logged many pedal powered miles on the streets of Terry, had sleep overs and looked forward to 4-H camps and pool days. She cooked and served at Bud and Bette’s, the family bar and cafe, throughout her school days. She learned many tricks of the trade, developing a love for the kitchen that shaped her future.
Shortly after Marla began her senior year she met Alan Pluhar and they quickly became inseparable. Following graduation from Terry High School in 1982 Marla attended flight attendant school in Denver, upon return the two were married on April 28, 1984 in a snow storm. They made their home and lived in Crane, MT and St. Xavier, MT in the years directly following their marriage. In 1985 they returned to the family ranch in Cohagen. Marla quickly adapted to the ranch wife life and enjoyed being a steward of the land but always kept her apron hanging on the closest hook. Through the years she cooked at the Hilltop Cafe and remained on call at Bud and Bette’s. In 2004 she went to work for Jordan Public Schools in the Title-1 room and later accepted the role of head cook in 2009. No one makes a cinnamon roll quite like Marla.
In 1986 Alan and Marla welcomed son, Kalan Jon Vaughn and life as they knew it had changed. It was trucks and tractors and dirt tracks through the shelter belt. In 1988 Kalley Lue made them a family of four and suddenly they were playing dolls and the farm yard on the living room floor had more horses. Marla always had time for her kids and their friends. She was the mom with all of the advice and the mom who knew without being told. Her kids rarely thought, “mom’s going to tan my hide” instead they thought, “I can’t wait to tell mom.”
In 2015 Marla became a grandma for the first time and her world came alive. Gunner, her first born and only grandson revealed Marla’s true calling. She taught him her gentle kindness and her smirk will live on through him. Granddaughters Laramie and Whitlee brought out the little girl in Marla and she was often found playing kitchen or planting her many pots of flowers with them but above all she loved cooking with them and teaching them her ways. Laramie RaeLea is not only named after her but has her crystal blue eyes and love for cooking. Whitlee is straightforward just as Marla was, shares her sense of humor and her deep love for animals, especially dogs.
She was greeted at the gates by her folks Bud and Bette Goplen, brother Miles, sister-in-law Pam Goplen, brother-in-law Joe Wheatcroft and her in-laws John and Lynn Pluhar.
Those left reeling her loss are her husband of 42 years, Alan, her son Kalan and his wife Breiann and their children Gunner, Laramie, and Whitlee and her daughter Kalley Pluhar, Also left to honor her memories are brother Mark Goplen, sister Melody and her husband Dick Dewald along with their family, brother Mitch Goplen and wife Mary and their family. Sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lori and John Wentzell and family.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday December 14, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Luncheon
Following the Funeral Service
Monday December 15, 2025
VFW Hall
Jordan, Montana 59337
Interment
Following the Luncheon
Monday December 15, 2025
Cohagen Cemetery
Cohagen, Montana 59322
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday December 14, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Luncheon
Following the Funeral Service
Monday December 15, 2025
VFW Hall
Jordan, Montana 59337
Interment
Following the Luncheon
Monday December 15, 2025
Cohagen Cemetery
Cohagen, Montana 59322
Share
Wade and Crystal says
To the Pluhar family,
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Debbie Weyer says
Alan and family, so very sorry for your loss. May God wrap his loving arms around you at this difficult time.
Cindy Stanton says
Alan, Kalley, Kalen, Melody and the Goplen and Pluhar families, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Marla was a real sweetie and a kick in the pants. She’s really going to be missed by so many. She was such an important part of the Terry, Cohagen, and Jordan communities. You’re all in my thoughts.
Rita Wemmer says
Alan, and family
My heart goes out to all of you. Marla was such a wonderful woman. She literally lit up the room with her heart and laughter. She will be missed by so many. Precious memories of her life will forever be remembered. The greatest gift is to her is always share those memories and moments with her grandchildren. Prayers and love to all. ❤️❤️🙏
Rita Wemmer says
Alan and family
My prayers for all. Marla was such a wonderful woman. So much love and happiness all the time. She will be missed so. Keep her precious memories alive forever for her beautiful grandchildren, that they never forget her love and presence for them. Keep her memories alive for yourselves in all you do. Blessings to all the family. Love and prayers during this difficult time. ❤️❤️🥲🙏
Larry and Judy Jens says
Pluhar and Goplen Families, It is with such sadness to hear of Marla’s passing. Sixty-two is much, much too young .Dang cancer! I enjoyed Marla in the classroom, and I always admired how she took to the ranch life. Our deepest sympathies for your loss.
Cathy&John McKeever says
Alan and Family our thoughts and prayers are with you. We always enjoyed talking with Marla. Glad I got to visit with her in the hospital.
Cathy
Tim & Cheri Hafla says
Alan,Kalen, Kalley & all the Family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God wrap his arms around you and give you comfort thru the sad times. Marla was a wonderful person and we will all miss her. If there is anything at all that we can do please let us know. Love and hugs to you all.
Tom Fleming says
Rip Marla Marla was so much fun in school I remember her sense of humor such a fun classmate. Thought and prayers to the familys
Mike & Myrna Higgins says
so sorry for your loss our deepest sympathy for all the family
Kyle & Gail Shaw says
Alan and Family, My heart hurts for you all. Such a wonderful lady. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Richard Galla says
Sorry for your loss
Mitzi Beecher says
Many prayers to you all may god wrap his arms around you all at this difficult time.
Callie Dasinger says
Sending our condolences. So sorry to hear of your loss. Such a nice lady, she will be deeply missed!
David Schmetterling and Marilyn Marler says
Alan, Kalley and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Chasidy Lawson says
We send our warmest, deepest sympathies during this time of heartache. May you all find comfort in cherished memories and strength in the love that surrounds you tonight and for all the days to come.
With Loving Remembrance,
Sonny & Chasidy Lawson
Jason Sindelar says
Sorry for your family’s loss. Thoughts and Prayers to all.
Connie Blonigen says
I was saddened to hear of Marla’s passing. She was a nice lady and she will be missed. My condolences go out to her family.
Kelly Childers says
I am so sorry for your loss, a great gal taken from our community too soon. I will miss her smile and how happy she made everyone.
Staci Beecher says
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Diane Ehman says
So sorry to hear of Marla’s passing. One of the kids in the neighborhood years ago.
Barb Hinnaland says
Alan and family,
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I have so many incredible memories of growing up with Marla. She was such a character – always smiling, always laughing, always having fun. She was a very special person who none of us will ever forget. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Deidree Carlson Wurth says
I am shocked and saddened to learn of Marlas passing. We were best friends through much of our childhood into young adulthood. We didn’t see each other much, but we always picked up where we left off. She never changed and I loved that. Heaven has gained an angel. Im so sorry for the profound loss on earth. RIP my dear friend
Karen & Jim Haynie says
Alan and family – We are so sorry for your loss. We know you will find comfort with each other and sharing the many years of memories.
Cheryl Fuhrman says
To all of Marla’s family,so sorry for your loss. I got to know Marla when I worked for her parents at Bud and Bette’s in Terry she was always so happy and smiling,she always knew when it was ice cream making day at the restaurant.
Deena Dukart Verworn says
Pluhar and Goplen Family, I was so sad to hear of Marla’s passing. I have so many fun memories of Marla in school, she could be the life of any party with her sense of humor and personality. I can still hear her boisterous laughter. She was always up to an adventure. I am so sorry for your loss of this beautiful woman. Condolences and Blessings to all of you.
Linda Wolff says
Alan I am so sorry for your loss. Just know there are lots of people ready to give a hand in any way they can. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Lissa Bartholomay Power says
Sorry for your family’s loss. The last time I spoke with Marla was in Terry at Friends of the Swimming Pool fundraiser. Marla was her same bubbly self. Whenever I ran into her and Alan in Miles City she/he always said hello. She will be missed.
Brinda M Pluhar says
Alan, Kalan, and Kalley,
Our hearts ache for you. Our kids remember Marla’s kindness to them, and Joe has many fond memories of Marla being patient with him and Kalan’s shenanigans. We will miss Marla. We pray your many sweet memories will comfort you at this time of great loss. God bless you. With love, Steve and Brinda
Sam and Chris Hagerman says
Love and deepest sympathy to you all. Such a loss of this dear one. How blessed we all are to have spent precious time with her. Thank you for sharing this beautiful photo album. Love and prayers to all of Marla’s family and friends.
Darlene L Strobel says
My deepest sympathies to each of you. I remember the Goplen kids walking past my apartment each morning to the cafe for breakfast before school. They were a fun family. Marla was a great person.
May God be with you in the most difficult days ahead.
Love,
Darlene