On Tuesday, November 10, 2015, Sandra Gail Batke (Plunz) of Lac La Biche, Alberta, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 66 years. She joins her much-missed son, Brent (d. 1990), her brother, Gerald Plunz (d. 2013), her mother, Clara Plunz (d. 2002) and her father, Walter Plunz (d. 1977) in watching over us from heaven. 
In her immediate family, she leaves her loving husband of 43 years, Barry;  her beloved daughter, Mandy (Benon); and three adored grandsons: Andrew, 9; Ezra, 6; and Taylor, 4. Sandra had the gall, as mother-in-law’s sometimes do, to die on her son-in-law Ben’s 40th birthday, a sad fact that demonstrates her very real love of him.  Sandra believed in kismet, particularly as regarded dates and times, birth and death. And so, if this was her opportunity to make a point about it with Ben, then we can consider her argument won. She also leaves behind her big brother, Arthur (Jacquie), and her big sister, Louise (Ted; Harvey, d. 2011) and their families. 

When her body was able, Sandra had a great zeal for living and for people. Vivacious and independent, she loved an adventure and would turn her Buick down unmarked roads to find out exactly where they led. She hated being unable to enjoy the full depth of life for the past 10 years, and if she could have left these last words herself, she would remind everyone to remember what really matters. And, for the love of their families, she would tell all the smokers to stop smoking.

A private funeral service was held at Willow Park Cemetery. Special thanks to Lac La Biche Health Unit Homecare nurses, especially Carol; Nola & Derrick Kruk, Emmanuel Chiwele, Barb Peters, Randy Wowk and the staff at Lac La Biche Transport for their care and support. Sandra and her grandsons would appreciate donations in her name to The Alberta Lung Association, Box 4500 Station South, Edmonton, AB, T6E 6K2

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