Pam Plager, 71, of rural Table Rock, passed away June 8, 2025

Pamela Anne (Lade) Plager was born March 22, 1954 to Orvil and JoAnne (Tucker) Lade in Beatrice, Nebraska. She grew up on the farm near Vesta, Nebraska with her family. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska. Pam graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1973.

She was married to Daniel Kerner at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska. To this union were born Lesley, Lisa and Joel. Pam later married Gene Plager on March 8, 1980 at St. James Lutheran (Long Branch) Church. Gene and Pam were blessed with their son Russell.

Pam worked as a Program Technician for the Farm Service Agency in Tecumseh for many years, retiring in March of 2024. She especially loved assisting young farmers get their start with their career in agriculture. She also clerked for Speckmann Auction for many years and treasured her deep friendships with her co-workers.

After her husband Gene's passing October 17, 2012, Ron Lade started Poker for Plager to honor Gene which later evolved into Plager for a Purpose to assist others in their cancer journey. Pam proudly worked tirelessly for the annual fundraiser to assist others with monetary donations for getting to their chemo treatments etc., along with others on the board. She baked hundreds of dozens of sugar cookies in Gene's honor to be raffled off or sold in his honor. Every year, Plager for a Purpose grew in numbers of those faithfully giving their time and talents to this worthy endeavor.

Pam was a faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church and was very active in their ministry and served on church council. She was a prayer warrior for many over the years. Pam enjoyed relaxing on her patio with a nice glass of wine at home, watching the sunset, with George Strait playing in the background and talking to Gene. She loved her girl trips with friends to either a neighboring winery or the casino. She loved cooking, baking, caring for the Registered Polled Hereford herd and following Husker Volleyball. She enjoyed hosting family and friends for holidays and gatherings and no one ever left hungry! Pam participated in several 5k walks in honor of other cancer survivors or in memory of friends or loved ones lost to this disease. Sadly, her passion for a cure for cancer, did not insulate her from getting a cancer diagnosis of her own. Pam fought hard in her own battle, but succumbed herself on June 8, 2025 at the age of 71 years. Pam will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to have known her.

Pam is survived by her children, Lesley Slaymaker and Lisa Stevens and husband John of Kearney, Joel Kerner of Lincoln and Russell Plager and wife Tiffany of Wayne, grandchildren, Kaleb, Brooklyn and Evan Slaymaker, Tyler Stevens and Thomas, Nolan, Jenna and Reid Plager, siblings, Linda and Brad Meints of Winston, MO, Steve and Mary Lade of Douglas, Susie and Jim Hill of Beatrice, Sarah Sears, Les Lade, Ron and Shirley Lade and Bruce and Christy Lade all of Tecumseh and Mitchell Howard of Kearney, father-in-law Richard Plager of Humboldt, sisters-in-law Mary Lade of Tecumseh and Susan Klanecky and husband Bryan of Lincoln and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Gene, granddaughter Kayla Anne Stevens, brother David Lade, brother-in-law Dan Sears and mother-in-law Vera (Bohling) Plager.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 13, 2025 at the St. James Lutheran (Long Branch) Church, rural Humboldt, Nebraska with Rev. Eric Spruth-Janssen officiating. The service will also be livestreamed on the St. James Lutheran Church Facebook page for those unable to attend. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska.

Memorials may go to the Plager for a Purpose Cancer Fund.

Interment will be in the St. James Lutheran (Long Branch) Cemetery.