On Saturday, March 8, 2025, Ann Agnes (Ploeger) Cayo peacefully went home to Jesus, with family at her side.
Ann was born Aug. 3, 1936, in Elderon to Gilbert and Cecelia (Verkuilen) Ploeger, at home on the family’s farm. She graduated from Wittenberg High School in 1954.
After graduation, the young lady went to experience city life in Milwaukee. Finding it not her cup of tea, she ended up settling in the Valley. Mom worked at Riverside Paper in Appleton and retired from Kimberly Clark in Neenah in 1997.
She absolutely loved dancing to polka music with her best friend, Mary Cornelius, all around the Valley and up north in Wittenberg, as well as having a “cold one.” Mom also enjoyed traveling to her daughter Lori’s house in California. She loved spending time with her family reminiscing about people and places from the past. In her later years, she liked going for drives with her sons, watching polka on TV and chatting with whoever came to visit her.
Mom’s legacy are her three kids, Lori (Brent Billingham) Cayo, son Craig (Sarah) Cayo and son John (Jennifer) Cayo. In addition, she is survived by her grandchildren, Jacob, Brittany, Jarrett, MacK, Kailynn; and several great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Mom was the last of the Ploeger clan, which included parents; her brothers, Donald (Judge), Gerald (Jerry) and James (Sonny); and sisters, Irene and Marie.
The family would like to thank Jenn and her exceptional staff at Emerald Ridge Assisted Living in Neenah for their care of Ann for the last three years. A shout out to ThedaCare Hospice for their talented loving group of angels.
Visitation and memorial service will take place at Kessler Fahrenkrug Funeral Home at 304 S. Commercial St., Neenah, on March 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a luncheon to follow for family and friends. A private interment at Oak Hill Cemetery will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Juvenile Diabetes-Breakthrough T1D - Wisconsin Chapter, 1800 Appleton Road, Suite 2, Menasha, WI 54952 or www.breakthrought1d.org/wisconsin.
Dance on, Mama. Dance on.
Ann Agnes (Ploeger) Cayo
