Myrtle Anderson Plenke of Wilton, a member of a New Canaan church, died Friday, Sept. 12. She was 105.

Born April 16, 1909, in Colfax, Wisc., she was the daughter of Albert G. and Olivia Nystad Anderson. She married John Plenke of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc., on April 16, 1938, and they moved to Madison in 1953. She moved to Connecticut in 1995 to be closer to her family.

Mrs. Plenke graduated from Colfax High School and University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1932 with a bachelor degree of science in home economics education. She taught at Greenwood and Reedsburg, Wisc., high schools and at Madison Technical College. In retirement, she was state membership chairman of the Wisconsin Retired Educators Association. Later in life, she was a member of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in New Canaan.

“Mert was an exceptional woman who lived a long, unique life,” her family said. “The list of her accomplishments is impressive, especially for a woman of her generation: college-educated, working mother, state membership chair of the Wisconsin Retired Educators Association, avid traveler, brilliant gardener and baker, friendly neighbor, and above all, genuine friend to many.”

Mrs. Plenke is survived by two daughters, Jacquelyn Krajewski of Sag Harbor, N.Y., and Sheilah Gallagher of Ridgefield; three grandchildren, Eric Striffler of Sag Harbor, N.Y., Sean Gallagher of Denver, Colo., and Leigh Lower of Norwalk.; great grandson, Wolfgang Gallagher of Denver; sister-in-law Hildred Anderson of Fort Belvoir, Va.; and two nieces, and one nephew.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 5 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, or the Arthritis Foundation.

New Canaan Advertiser, New Canaan, CT - 9-22-2014