Born to Arthur J. and Ruth Worthen Sperry on April 14, 1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah. On February 25, 1952, she married H. John Ploeger in the Salt Lake City Temple.
Annarae embraced life with an adventurous spirit, a wonderful sense of humor and genuine love for life. She traveled and explored new places with family and friends, creating lasting memories along the way. Above all, family was her greatest treasure. She delighted in time spent together, had a rare gift for making everyone feel seen, welcomed, and deeply loved. She lived her counsel to, “love them or lose them”.
Mom lived life rooted in love, acceptance and kindness and quietly led by example every day. Blessed with abundant talents, she expressed her creativity through painting, furniture refinishing, quilting, crocheting, journaling, and other art forms. Music encompassed her life which she shared generously through singing, playing the organ and piano. Her musical talents touched the lives of others through her participation in plays, choirs and musical productions. Her love of music was a precious gift that lives on through her children
Annarae was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and dedicated much of her life to service. Together with her husband she served as a temple worker in the Salt Lake City and St. George Temples, as a missionary in the Manilla Philippines Temple, and at the St. George Visitors’ Center. For many years, she was actively involved with the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She is a proud mother of six Eagle Scouts and worked hard to support their accomplishment. She was actively involved with her two daughters as they participated in the Girl Scout program.
Annarae is survived by Randall T. (Diana) Ploeger, Brad J. (Carol) Ploeger, Steven J. (Barbara) Ploeger, James B. (Teena) Ploeger, Paul S. (Kristina) Ploeger, Brian A. Ploeger, JoAnne (Jeff) Gurr, Jennifer (Matt) Ploeger-Gray, 22 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, sister Kathleen Nelson and sister-in-law Fonda Sperry.
Annarae was preceded in death by her beloved husband H. John, daughter-in-law Sue-Ellen Ploeger, parents, brother Art and wife Carol, sister Marva and husband Glenn Rudd, brother Kenneth and wife Dolly, brother Joseph and brother-in-law Larry Nelson.
Funeral services will be on January 3, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, located at 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT 84106.
A viewing will be held on January 3, 2026, from 11:45 am to 12:45 pm at the same location.
Livestream-https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c25128133676900
Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT 84106.
