Darlean "Snookie" Ploeger passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 12, 2021.

Darlean was born on January 22, 1929 to Rudolph and Rose Klatt of Willow River. She grew up in and attended Willow River School except for one year when she lived in Sandstone to assist her older sister who had given birth to triplets. She met Bob Ploeger on a blind date on her 18 ^th birthday.  She often quipped that she had been blind ever since ( Love is blind ). They dated for a year and a half and married on June 19, 1948. Darlean was an active member of the Sandstone Evangelical Free Church and was many times the chair of the Women's Missionary Society (WMS) and the White Cross.  She taught Sunday School, but you would often find her in the church kitchen. Darlean was a stay-at-home wife and mother until 1979 when she went to work outside of the home as a cook within the East Central School system. Upon retiring, Darlean and Bob joined the Mobile Missionary Assistance Program (MAPP). They enjoyed their duties of 3 weeks on-site with one week off to travel to the next site.  In 2000, they sold their Sandstone home and moved to Melrose, Minnesota.  In 2012, Darlean moved to the assisted living facility GracePointe Crossing in Cambridge, Minnesota.

Sometime in the late 1960s, Darlean became "Snookie" to all who knew her.  She was blessed with the gift of hospitality and was known for her excellent cooking and baking skills. It was a rare day when someone didn't stop over for coffee and a doughnut.

Darlean is survived by her sons; John (Cherie) Ploeger of Tulsa OK and Greg (Dorothea/Ditto) Ploeger of Iron River, WI; daughter Deb (Scott) Salonek of Laguna Vista TX and son-in-law David Anderson of Melrose MN.  She also leaves 10 grandchildren: Chris (Kristi) Anderson, Jen (Mark) Traeger, Sarah (Jeremy) Adams, Jonathan (Sarah) Ploeger, Justin Ploeger, Jessica (Matt) Hendricks, Anndrea Ploeger (Mark) Johnson, Nici (Levi) Ploeger-Lyons, Tyler Salonek (fiancé, Jaime Smith) and Morganne Salonek (fiancé Greg Scharine), 12 great-grandchildren: Tori Yanish (fiancé Julian Weitz-Elder), Will and Max Anderson, Andrew Traeger, Zoe and Layne Adams, Emma and Harrison Ploeger, Rhyan Hendricks, Gus Johnson, Tucker and Cooper Lyons, and 3 great-great grandchildren: Gavin, Illana, and Sophia Yanish. Two sisters-in-law: Vi (Bob) Johnsen and June (Arne) Berntsen; Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Darlean was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; daughter, Roberta "Bobbie"; great-great grandson, River Johnson; her parents and her siblings.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Gracepointe Crossing for their devoted and kind care given during Darlean's years there.

Darlean's funeral services will be at Sandstone Evangelical Free Church on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Dave Hogberg officiating. Interment following the service at Spring Park Cemetery.

Arrangements made by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services of Sandstone, MN.