Marian Plucker

Marian Rosabel Plucker was born June 8, 1927, in Seattle, Washington, to Charles and Zola Harris. Although raised in the city, she spent her summers in Alaska where her father served as a superintendent of a fish cannery. Her stories of the steamship journeys with her mother and interactions with the Alaska Natives always captivated her children. While attending the University of Washington, she confided to her sorority sisters that she always wanted to meet “a farmer with nice teeth.” Her dreams came true when she was introduced to Robert (Bob) Plucker on a blind date. They married in 1949, and moved back to the family farm, homesteaded by Bob’s grandparents in 1875, in Touchet, WA. There she began the transition from a “Seattleite” to a farmer’s wife, with appropriate cultural refinements. With patient direction provided by Bob’s mother, Dolphia, Marian learned to catch and clean chickens, sweep floors, cook and do laundry like a real farm wife, becoming well known for continuing on traditions such as Grandma Dolphia’s English Pudding, Bob’s favorite banana cake, and the famous Crandallberry jelly. Her self-authored poetic work entitled “Cows, Chickens, Pigs and Men (or Catherine Plucker’s Kitchen)” captured her own view of life on the farm:

May you be reminded of years gone by,
When the farmer’s wife would give a sigh.
She’d arise at dawn and breakfast she’d fry,
Separate the milk, mix bread dough, make a pie.

The big meal was at noon, no time to spare,
There was no time to wonder what to wear.
There were eggs to gather and potatoes to pare;
The facts were plain - she earned her fare.

In spite of the dust storms and paying of bills,
She loved this place, the river and hills.
The smell of ham smoking and making of dills,
Family dinners - there were so many thrills.

The phone would jingle and she’d count each ring,
Two longs and a short - the others for listening.
Laundry was dry by the oil stoves - she’d fold each thing,
Then set the table, almost noon, the coffee was brewing.

Ringing the dinner bell, the air outdoors smelled sweet.
Then in came the men, dusty clothes and mud on their feet.
But it only reminded her that after dinner she’d sweep,
And then the afternoon was hers - maybe she’d sleep.

Marian’s greatest pride was that of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Although she provided smart, motherly guidance, she always allowed them to make their choices in life, but was always there to pick them up when needed. Her advice of always applying her three “P’s” of being pleasant, polite, and positive were words of wisdom that would always prove invaluable. In her own words, and that of her children, she was “a humble mom who wants peace for all.” Marian remained as sharp as a tack to the very end, offering her commentary on NFL football games, straightening her kid’s clothes, and fussing about her beautiful naturally brown hair.

Marian is survived by her husband, Bob, and five children: Steve (Jeannie) Plucker of Prescott, WA; Shar (Will) Reed of Pasco, WA; Nick (Sharron) Plucker of Walla Walla; Don (Liz) Plucker of Everett, WA; and Ron (Kyoko) Plucker of College Place; her ten grandchildren: Rhonda, Robbie, Chris, Andrew, Joe, Megan, Jeff, Cober, Kimberly, and Cooper; and 12 great-grandchildren: Nichole, Ashton, Jacob, Angel, Emery, Bennie, Grant, Ian, Grace, Brixton, Quinn, and Clara.

A celebration of her life for family and friends will be held at the Family Farm on Sunday, 18 December, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Interment will be private.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Kirkman House Museum or The Touchet Friends of the Library through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362