Sister Assunta Ploeger entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, Ind., as a teen-ager.

        She was a graduate of Immaculate Conception Academy in Oldenburg who went on to earn a bachelor's in education from Marian College in Indianapolis and a master's in education from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.

        During her long career as an educator, Sister Ploeger taught grade school in White Oak; Bridgetown; Indianapolis; Brookville, Ind.; and Batesville, Ind.

        She was “instrumental in getting primary children to read and enjoy school. She really cared about them,” said Sister Judith Werner at St. Francis.

        Sister Ploeger died Thursdayfrom a pulmonary blood clot at Mercy Franciscan Hospital — Western Hills. The Cincinnati resident was 64.

        She was one of six children raised on a 120-acre farm near St. Maurice, Ind. Family was at the center of her life. When young, she helped care for her siblings and her parents on the farm.

        “She was extremely generous in helping her family. She took special care of her sister, Irene,” who was developmentally disabled, Sister Werner said.

        Sister Ploeger taught at St. James School in White Oak from 1957-60 and at St. Aloysius School in Bridgetown from 1975-82.

        In 1982, she retired from teaching and became a medical records clerk at Mercy Franciscan, where she worked until her death.

        She was widely known at the convent for her gourmet cooking and love of singing. For Christmas celebrations, she prepared the meal and sang carols afterward.

        Surviving are three sisters, Elizabeth Lecher of Greensburg, Ind., Irene Ploeger of Batesville, Ind., and Jeanne Sexton of Elyria, Ohio; and two brothers, William of Enochsburg, Ind., and Ronald of St. Maurice.

        Visitation will be 1 p.m. todayuntil Mass of Christian burial at 5:30 p.m. at the Sisters of St. Francis Convent Motherhouse Chapel in Oldenburg. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery in Oldenburg.

        Memorials can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Convent, P.O. Box 100, Oldenburg, IN 47036-0100.

Hope fades for Mason family
Riot recovery
Byrd case has judges at odds
Ceremony marks Schott gift to St. Ursula
Churches full as people seek answers, consolation
Devastation awes pair who aided rescue efforts
Primary's results sign of change
Teacher bound for Antarctica
Time to resume routine
Tristate reservists waiting for call
Butler firefighters, police, public join voices in prayer
Detective never missed work in 36-year career
Lady riders rev up for charity events
Lebanon weighs high-school sites
Let us know ways you're helping with relief efforts
Ludlow man held wife hostage
'Opportunity' is Reading theme
Sister Assunta Ploeger taught on the west side
UC to unveil new logo today
Visitors try to clear graves