Anita Payne

Anita Eunice (Ploetz) Payne, age 90 of Coloma, entered eternal life peacefully on Friday, November 11, 2016 at Harris Villa Assisted Living Center with her husband at her side. She was born on May 11, 1926 in Stevens Point, the only daughter of the late Emil and Lydia (Otto) Ploetz. She was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stevens Point and confirmed her baptismal vows at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Coloma by the Rev. Wm Wudel.

Anita married her high school sweetheart, Elmer Payne on June 21, 1947 at St Paul’s in Coloma by the Rev Edgar Engleking. She taught Sunday School for over 25 years and was an active member of the Ladies Aid, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and Lutheran Laymen’s League along with the church choir. They later joined Immanuel Lutheran Church in Westfield and continued her membership in those organizations along with teaching catechism.

Anita attended grade school in Stevens Point until 2nd grade then finished school in Coloma and graduated valedictorian of her class. She attended Waushara County College for 2 years and graduated valedictorian. She received her education degree by attending Wisconsin State University in Stevens Point by taking summer school and evening classes. She then received her B.S. degree in June of 1958 graduating with high honors and continued to work on her Master’s Degree. Anita taught at the Coloma Elementary School for 26 years.

They loved to travel and covered all 50 states including Canada and Mexico. Most of those trips were to attend the International Lutheran Laymen’s League Conventions. They made a trip around the world touring many countries, they took many cruises and a family trip to Europe.

They were avid campers and belonged to a camping group known as Roche-a-bye Acres in Arkdale, WI for many years. The group purchased land on the Roche-a-Cri River and worked to turn it into a beautiful family camp ground. The group consisted of close friends from Wisconsin Rapids and Coloma. They spent most of their free summer time there. After retirement they wintered in Harlingen, TX for many years where she became an accomplished oil painter and has left many beautiful paintings for her family and friends. They also became active in the Lutheran Church in San Benito, TX

They were also very active in the Lutheran Church Camp LuWiSoMo at Wild Rose. They took a trip with friends to Latvia in Europe to tour the area and saw the enormous need for aid. As a result the organization called Orphan Grain Train was developed. This organization is active in distributing humanitarian aid domestically and internationally. In January the organization will be 25 years old and the group continues to work diligently to collect, pack and ship containers around the world to those areas in need.

Anita is preceded in death by her parents and in-laws, Erwin and Louise (Hamilton) Payne; brother, Henry (Ruth) Ploetz; sister-in-law, Doris (Donald) Sigourney.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Elmer; a daughter, Julie (Steve) Rodger, Coloma; two grandchildren, Ryan Rodger, Orlando, FL and Tara (Bryan) Brom, Friendship; three great-grandchildren, Kayla, Kendra, and Kinley Brom; sister in law, Verla (Tony) Ziska, Nekoosa; a very close friend, Carlos Ferreira, Orlando, FL; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and former students.

A funeral service for Anita will be held on Friday, November 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Westfield with Rev. Gary H. Schultz officiating. Burial will be in Prince of Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Coloma. A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Orphan Grain Train in Anita’s honor.

The family would like to thank Nan Hinze and her staff at Harris Villa for the loving care she was given during the 2 years she was there and Agnesian Hospice Hope for their support.

Please take a moment to view the online guestbook. Send your condolences or share a memory of Anita with her family & friends.