Anne Rule, age 80, of Grandview, MO passed into the presence of Jesus and her glorious new home in Heaven on January 30, 2021 surrounded by the love of her husband Rod and family. Despite nearly losing her life as a young wife and mother in her mid-20’s and living with diabetes as a result, she was blessed with 55 more years of good health and enjoyed nurturing not only her children but also her grandchildren into adulthood. Rod and Anne celebrated 59 years of marriage and a full 60 years in love.
Hilda Anna Plenge was born on July 19, 1940 to Willy F. Plenge and Marie Dorothea (Von Thaden) Plenge in Brooklyn, NY, the third of five children. Her arrival was a special joy and comfort to her parents, who had lost their first daughter as a small child the previous year. She loved and valued her family and her upbringing in the German neighborhood of Glendale in Queens and never lost her NYC accent. She was confirmed at age 13 in a German Lutheran church and gave her heart to Jesus at a Billy Graham crusade the summer she turned 17. That decision profoundly impacted the direction of her life.
Anne met Rod, the love of her life, as the maid of honor at a wedding he was unexpectedly asked to perform, filling in at the last minute for another pastor. Their unlikely meeting had to be divine providence because Rod and Anne were married a year later on November 11, 1961. Together they embarked on a journey of faith sharing both joys and sorrows along the way from New York City to the small town of South Butler, then from Niagara Falls to Kansas City in 1969 and finally to a beautiful home in Grandview in 2001 where they enjoyed 20 years of retirement together with gatherings of family, neighbors, and friends.
Along this journey, Anne was a devoted wife and mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend, pastor’s wife ministering alongside her husband, homemaker, child caregiver in her home, seasonal worker at IRS, and part of the church family of Central Church in Grandview which she valued so much. No matter whose life she touched, it was always with kindness and care. Her life radiated the Lord’s sweet presence in her heart. Anne means “gracious one” and her heart’s inclination was to believe and hope the best in people. Her greatest gifts, shared with family and friends alike, were to love selflessly and to listen, to encourage and to uplift others in her words, her actions, and in fervent prayers. Her life was to love the Lord and to love others in her unassuming, welcoming, and gentle way.
Anne is preceded in Heaven by her parents, Willy and Marie Plenge and her sister Hildegard Plenge. She is survived by her husband Rod Rule of Grandview, MO; four daughters who carry her name and her heart: Laura-Ann (Bruce) Inwards of Kansas City, MO, Ruth Anne (Jim) Elo of Belton, MO, Janet Joanne (Dave) Seyfried of Grandview, MO, and Carole Ann (Chris) Rule Gannaway of Waco, TX; 7 grandchildren: Jarrod (Angel) Elo, Joanna Inwards, Anna (David) Riley, Julie Anne (Khalid) Mansouri, Seth Elo, Laurie Ann Inwards, Hayden Gannaway; and 2 great-grandchildren: Malachi Elo and Nayvah Elo; siblings Bill (Marianne) Plenge of Tilton, NH, Fred Plenge of Beaumont, CA, and Linda (Lyle) Rowe of Lexington, VA, and 8 nieces.
While Anne’s body weakened due to unsuspected illness, her spirit, passion and faith only increased in strength, and she maintained her hope and trust in the Lord. A favorite verse by her lampstand was: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) This would be her parting prayer for all those her heart has touched until we joyfully meet again.
May God bless the memory of Anne Rule, the legacy of faith and love she leaves to her family and those who knew and loved her. A Celebration of Life service will be held for Anne at Central Church in Grandview, MO on July 24, 2021 (the week of her birthday).
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