Josephine Pauline Plummer

Josephine (Jo) Pauline Plummer, age 90, of Conifer, Colorado (formally of Billings, MT) passed away peacefully Monday evening, August 19, 2019 at the Brookdale Green Mountain Skilled nursing center in Lakewood, Co.

Jo graced many people in many places, in an effort to allow everyone to say their goodbyes, services will be held in the following locations:

In Conifer, CO, at Our Lady of the Pine church, where Father Tim Gaines will celebrate a funeral mass on Monday, Sept. 9th at 11am. A reception will be held at the church.

Bullock Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In Billings, MT, at St Pius X church, where Father Wayne Pittard will lead a memorial mass on Wednesday, Sept. 11th at 11am. A reception will be held at the church.

Interment will take place at the Glendive Dawson County cemetery, where Father Francis Schreiber will officiate a chapel service held in the cemetery’s chapel at 10am on Friday, Sept. 13th. A reception will follow at the Sacred Heart church.

Jo was born August 2, 1929 in Blue Grass, North Dakota to Ludwig (Louie) and Mary Thomas. The oldest of 11 children, with 8 sisters and 2 brothers, she grew up in North Dakota before going out on her own. While living and working in Bismarck, she married LaFollette “Mick” Tracy Walby in 1947, then shortly after they moved to Miles City, Montana. Her and Mick owned and operated The Range Riders Café and Beacon Café both in Miles City. After they separated, she then married Charles Plummer in 1971 and moved to Glendive, where the two of them ran the Husky House restaurant. After Charles passed away in 1975, Jo continued to run the Husky until retiring in 1977.

She moved to Billings, Montana in 2001, then in 2014 she moved to Denver, Colorado where she lived for four years with her eldest son Jerome and his wife Vivian. There, she became affectionately known as “Mama Jo” by her great grandchildren. As her mobility decreased, many of our family members helped her move to the Littleton Brookdale assisted living home, and when her health took a serious turn, her last few months were at the Brookdale Green Mountain Skilled nursing center. In both places, everyone always commented on Jo’s beautiful smile and gentle, loving nature.

Jo had many enjoyments in life; cooking, canning, and baking for family and friends (everyone loved her English muffins and cake doughnuts); loved to dance, play cards, and basically any activity that involved being with family and friends. Jo’s hobbies were ceramics, quilt making, and crocheting, many of which were passed down to the family or donated for worthy causes (once she crocheted over 180 pairs of pot holders for a charity auction!). Jo was a strong and caring woman, who often put others needs before her own.

She was a devout Catholic and participated in countless church events over the years. Jo was also president of the Glendive VFW women’s axillary post #1125 for many years, where she cooked up many large meals to help raise money for the organization. One of her proudest achievements was putting together a family history book (with help from her children) which captured several generations, and made 75 copies for her family members.

Jo was preceded in death by both her parents, Louie and Mary; her first husband, Mick, her second  husband Charles,  daughters Linda and Cheryl, son Michael, sister Cecelia, and brother Valentine.

She is survived by two sons Jerome Walby and wife Vivian Walby of Conifer, Colorado, Lawrence Walby of Billings, MT, daughter in-law Marlene Quick of Billings, MT, two daughters, Sheila Walby of Sidney, MT, Cindy Walby and partner Thomas Carson of Mountain View, CA; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren, along with one brother, eight sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.

We are saddened by our loss of Jo’s love and strength, but are joyful in knowing she is now at peace with Jesus and The Blessed Mother Mary, whom she adored and devoted to praying the rosary all her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Montana Special Olympics:

https://give.specialolympics.org/page/contribute/cc2019?state=mt?ms=MT126_web_cc&source=MT126_web_cc&cha=11&utm_source=cc2019_idmp&utm_medium=web_cc&utm_campaign=MT126&desig=MT126

Send Check to:

VFW Auxiliary (attn: Jo Plummer Donation)

218 South Merrill Ave

Glendive, MT 59330