Maurine Kariel Plettman, 92, of Beaumont, died Tuesday, January 17, 2017. She was born on September 21, 1924, in Marshall, to Adele Stein Kariel and Louis Kariel, Sr. Maurine graduated from Marshall High School as valedictorian. She received her Bachelor’s degree, with honors in English, from the University of Texas, where she was a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi, as well as Phi Betta Kappa.
Stanley was overseas when he asked Maurine to marry him and deputized her brother, Louis, to put the ring on her finger. After marrying, Maurine and Stanley moved to Beaumont in 1949, when he joined Orgain Bell and Tucker. Her community involvement centered on Temple Emanuel.
Maurine and Stanley traveled the world extensively, exploring 4-star restaurants, birds, and seeing all the sights. She relished playing bridge and canasta with decades-long card-playing friends.
Maurine was sweet and gentle, while being a strong, emotional center for the family.
She loved being a grandmother to her two grandsons, Jonah and Zane, who she taught to be ruthless scrabble players.
Maurine is survived by her daughters, Linda Plettman Surley, of Missouri City; Susan Plettman Rankin and her husband, James, of Austin; Elaine Plettman and her husband, Steve Cummings, of Tyngsboro, Massachusetts; brother, Louis Kariel, Jr. and his wife, Audrey, of Marshall; and grandchildren, Jonah Plettman Rankin and Zane Wolfe Rankin, both of Seattle, Washington.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband of sixty-four years, Stanley Robert Plettman; and her brother, Stanley Kariel.
The family wishes to thank Maurine's long-time caregiver Gwen Comeaux for her gentle compassionate and enthusiastic care, as well as her newer compassionate caregivers from HomeInstead.
The family would also like to thank Connie Collis for her diligent, thorough, and professional assistance on all business matters.
Mrs. Plettman’s funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 19, 2017, at Broussard’s. 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Hebrew Rest Cemetery, 2290 Pine Street, Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, you may make memorial contributions to Temple Emanuel, 1120 Broadway, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
