Marolyn Elizabeth (Ploeger) Block, 97, of Montgomery City, MO, died on September 25, 2024. Marolyn lived at home until just after her 96th birthday, at which time she moved to St. Andrews Nursing home in New Florence, MO, where she passed.

Marolyn Elizabeth (Ploeger) Block was born February 20, 1927 in Holstein, MO (Warren County) to Roy and Mabel (Hanke) Ploeger. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel UCC in Holstein. Her parents moved from Holstein to Rhineland, MO and Marolyn graduated from Hermann High School. Before she was married, Marolyn worked at The Bank of Hermann and at Florsheim shoe factory in Hermann.

On November 27, 1947 Marolyn married Melvin Louis Block in Rhineland at St. Marcus Church. Together they shared over 61 years together before he died at the age 84 in 2009. In 1955, Melvin and Marolyn moved to Montgomery City for Mel's job in the school system. Melvin and Marolyn raised 5 children in Montgomery City. Marolyn was a stay-at-home mom, but later worked as a teacher's aide at the Montgomery City Grade School, where she worked from1974-1987.

Marolyn was a member of the First United Methodist-Presbyterian Church in Montgomery City since 1955.   Marolyn sang in the church choir for more than 60 years and was a member of Pairs and Spares Sunday School class for over 50 years. Marolyn was in charge of the Vacation Bible School program at the Church for several years.

Marolyn and Melvin always enjoyed the outdoors. They both loved to fish, and went on many fishing excursions. They also loved to play golf and were members of both Loutre Shore Country Club in Hermann and the Country Club in Montgomery City. They had a large garden for years and Marolyn enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables for the family. Marolyn also enjoyed playing bridge, and was a member of 2 different bridge clubs over the years, most recently with her best friends, Sue Scherer, Evelyn Poole (now deceased), Marjorie Oliver Miller, Betty River and Peggy Ready.

Marolyn was also an accomplished baker. There aren't many in Montgomery City that haven't tasted her cookies, pies and cakes. When Marolyn wasn't playing bridge or baking, she was an accomplished quilter and made many beautiful quilts over the years.

She participated in the hand-quilting projects that were ongoing at the church until her hands no longer allowed her to help. Then she just brought cookies and enjoyed the fellowship. She was a member of the Sunshine Quilters and the Piecemakers Quilt Guilds.

She was a former member of Lady Bug Extension Club. She also helped gather information for the Montgomery County One Room School Book. Marolyn was interested in genealogy and was very proud of their collection of old family photos and family historical information.

Marolyn Elizabeth Ploeger Block is survived by four children: Tom Block (Diane Zumwalt) of Montgomery City; Maribeth Frevert and husband Doug of Columbia, MO; John Block and husband Steve Rulon of St. Louis, MO; and Jim Block and wife Linda of Montgomery City, MO.  Marolyn leaves six grandchildren: Kristin Henke and husband Mac of Princeton, MO; Matt Frevert and wife Grace of Columbia, MO; Kate Block of Columbus, OH; Molly Smiley and husband Jared of Mexico, MO; Macy Storts and husband Kaleb of Wellsville, MO and Molly Rulon of St. Louis. Marolyn also leaves 5 great grandchildren, Judd, Emma and Sadie Henke of Princeton, Charlotte Frevert and Connor Thompson of Columbia. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, in Missouri and various states across the country.

Marolyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Melvin in 2009, and two sons. David Roy Block died at birth in 1952, and William Louis "Bill" Block in 1974 at the age of 24. Bill had kidney failure due to diabetes. Marolyn donated one of her kidneys to Bill in August 1973 at the University of Denver Hospital.  Bill only lived 5 more months following the transplant, but Marolyn lived the rest of her healthy life with just one kidney.

Marolyn was also preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law Eileen and Albert Baumstark, respectively, brothers and sisters-in-law Nelson and Lucy Jane Block, and Roy and Celeste (Block) Meyer.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the First United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Montgomery City, Missouri, with Reverend Lynn Quist officiating. Interment will follow in the Montgomery City Cemetery.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024, at the First United Methodist Presbyterian Church from 9:00 AM until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the First United Methodist Presbyterian Church, designated to purchase new altar clothes, or to Breakthrough T1D, a type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO 63361.