Ilene J. Pletcher

Ilene J. Pletcher

1928 – 2009

Ilene J. Pletcher, 81, of Grand Island, died Sunday, November 8, 2009 at St. Francis Medical Center.

The funeral service was held Thursday, Nov. 12, at the North Loup United Methodist Church. The Reverends Bruce Phillips and Mary Avidano officiated. Burial was at the Hillside Cemetery at North Loup.

Mrs. Pletcher was born February 21, 1928 at Lincoln, Nebraska the daughter of Clifford and Bertha (Mong) Bishop.

Ilene was adopted as an infant, was raised and received her education in Bartlet. 

She graduated from Wheeler County High School, class of 1944. She married Robert Martin in 1946. She then was united in marriage to Gene Pletcher on June 4, 1963. They made their home in North Loup until moving to Grand Island in 1989.

Ilene was employed at the Yancey Hotel as a telephone operator then worked for the Grand Island Independent and later as a dispatcher for the Ord Police Department. She played the piano at Bartlet Methodist Church and was a gifted singer that sang for many funerals and weddings in her earlier life. Ilene enjoyed photography and crocheting having crocheted many afghan’s for family and friends.

During Ilene’s last years her faithful cats, Mushie and Molly brought her laughter and companionship. Ilene had a great interest in all of God’s creatures and would be pleased to have memorials directed to Central Nebraska Humane Society.

Survivors are her husband Gene; son, Randy Martin of Grand Island; daughters and sons-in-law, Lauren and Duke Stevens of Grand Island and Kim and Mark Koch of Norfolk, NE.

Other survivors are grandchildren, Rhett Martin, Jamie Hurley, Tracey Stevens, Sherri Kolar, Kalin Koch and Kirstie Koch and five great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to www.giallfaiths.com.