Anne Marie Plueger died at home at age 97 on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Anne Marie was met by her husband Luverne at the gates of heaven.

Anne Marie was born to Henry and Christina Bernice Husman in Monticello on August 20, 1924. She married the love of her life, Luverne Plueger, on May 24, 1944. They were married 76 years and won the "the couple who has been married the longest, please stay on the dance floor" contest at every wedding reception – much to the delight of their grandchildren. Their love story is one for a poetry book. The Plueger family feels great comfort knowing Anne Marie and Luverne are reunited in heaven.

Anne Marie and Luverne had five children – Michael (Pat) Plueger of Anamosa, Robert (Kris) Plueger of Clarence, David (Sherri) Plueger of Monticello, Anne (Sal) Maniaci of Foothill Ranch, CA and Sue (Tom) Appleby of Waukee. Anne Marie also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren with another great grandbaby on the way.  She is also survived by her brother Jon Husman and his wife Donna Husman of Monticello and her sister-in-law Bert Harms of Iowa City.

Anne Marie was proceeded in death by her husband Luverne in December 2020, her parents and her brothers Jim Husman and Bob Husman.

Anne Marie and Luverne instilled the values of love, kindness and hard work in their children and grandchildren and it is illustrated by the closeness of the Plueger family. Anne Marie was a dedicated mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. Her family will miss her dearly.

Anne Marie graduated from Monticello High School and started her teaching career at country schools near Castle Grove and later in Wayne. When she and Luverne married, she left teaching to work the land of the Plueger family's Century Farm with Luverne and raise their family.

Anne Marie and Luverne farmed near Scotch Grove until they retired and moved to town in 2005. Anne Marie was a talented gardener. She had a greenhouse and a huge garden that covered much of their yard and grew vegetables and beautiful flowers. Anne Marie was an avid reader and loved romance novels.

She loved to read to her grandchildren when they were little, and they loved to sit on Grandma's lap to listen to a story. She made delicious molasses cookies that could always be found in the cookie jar on the kitchen counter, peanut brittle during the holiday season, potato salad and rye bread.

Anne Marie hand-wrote a cookbook of her favorite recipes for each grandchild when they married. Anne Marie also journaled every day of her life and looking back on years of weather reports, corn prices, daily visitors and family milestones written in her signature handwriting is a wonderful keepsake for her children.

Anne Marie loved to play cards and often stayed up late into the night playing euchre and pinochle with her children and grandkids. She enjoyed golfing at Coonhunters in Scotch Grove and she and Luverne were beautiful dancers – attending local dances every weekend for many years. Their song was "Could I Have This Dance?" by Anne Murray. Anne Marie and Luverne loved to travel – they visited 48 states by car.

Thank you to Marcia Monk, Dixie Beckman and Darcy Kraus for serving as Anne Marie's loving nurses and caregivers. She enjoyed your company and the Plueger family is very thankful for your care and kindness.

Anne Marie was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran church. Her family will gather to celebrate Anne Marie's long and loving life at a private graveside service on a later date, per her wishes.

Goettsch Funeral Home has taken Anne Marie and her family into their care.  .  By visiting Goettschonline.com you may share your thoughts, memories and condolences with Anne Marie's family and sign her online guest book.