Obituary of Elton Polansky
Elton A. Polansky, age 83, of 3221 Deer Road, Wisconsin Rapids, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, June 19th, 2012, House of the Dove in Marshfield, after a long battle with cancer, his family at his side.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 25th at the Taylor, Vollert, Jennings Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids with the Revs. Robert Buckman and Roger Polansky officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 24th from 3:00 ? 7:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Entombment will be in the Forest Hill Mausoleum.
Elton was born June 12, 1929 to Carl and Ella (Schroeder) Polansky. He attended Westside Lutheran School then transferred to Immanuel Lutheran School in the seventh grade. Elton graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids in 1947. Elton married Norma S. Eide on May 22, 1954 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. The couple was blessed with fifty-seven years of marriage. Norma passed away on July 16, 2011.
Elton is survived by three daughters Vicki (John) Steiner, Sara (Erick) Braaksma both of Wisconsin Rapids and Karen (Mark) Dostal of Custer, Wisconsin; six grandchildren Graham (China) Dostal, Chicago, Illinois, Amy (Russ) Kezeske of Stevens Point, Allison Steiner of Lake Delton, Kyle Braaksma, Wisconsin Rapids, Robin Dostal, Custer, Christopher Steiner, Wisconsin Rapids, and one brother Richard (Maryann) Polansky, Appleton. Elton also has three adored great-grandchildren Conner, Caleb, and Corbin Kezeske. Elton is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Elton is predeceased by his parents, brothers and sisters-in-law Carl Jr. and Joyce Polansky, Margaret Polansky and David Polansky.
Elton?s father, Carl Sr. opened the Polansky Service Station in 1944. Elton began work there as a mechanic when he was 14 years old. The four Polansky brothers opened Polansky Buick Inc. in November of 1969. Elton enjoyed selling Buicks. He was known for selling anything and actually sold the necktie his daughter gave him one year for Father?s Day to one of his customers. He always appreciated his customers and kept in contact with many of them over the years.
Elton proudly served in the National Guard during the Korean War era. He enjoyed going out on maneuvers and made some good friends while in the guards. Elton was a dedicated member of the Wisconsin Rapids Noon Rotary Club. He joined Rotary in 1962 and served as the Chairperson of the Honorarium and Memorials Committee. Elton strongly believed in the charitable work done by Rotarians. He had an exemplary attendance record for Rotarian meetings and functions.
Elton and Norma loved to travel. They bought a 1964 Dodge motor home and made many wonderful memories camping around the great lakes states as well as the American west. In 1972 they purchased a 260 acre hobby farm in Buffalo County. Deer hunting at the farm was a favorite of his. Elton felt that one of the best things about having the farm was that it provided a gathering place for his family and friends.
Elton and Norma traveled extensively throughout Europe and had a great group of friends to travel with. Elton was fascinated with the history and culture of Europe. He and Norma traveled to the countries of their ancestors, Germany and Norway, making a side trip into the region of former Pomerania from where Elton?s ancestors immigrated. He also loved the natural beauty of Mexico and Hawaii. In August 2011 he traveled to Alaska with his daughter Karen and son-in?law Mark. They fished on the Kenai River and the Cook Inlet. Even with all of the other traveling he had done, Elton said that was the biggest adventure of his life.
For Elton, family always came first. He made himself available to help his family, giving advice on the right car to buy, and fixing just about everything that needed fixing. Elton spent a great deal of time with his grandchildren. They had fun helping Grandpa in his workshop or around the yard. They also played Rummy Tile and Cribbage with Grandpa. Elton will always be remembered for his sense of humor, witty stories and his love of family and friends.
Memorials may be made to UW Cancer Center Riverview, 410 Dewey Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494, House of the Dove, 1000 W. 11th Street, Marshfield, WI 54449, or Wisconsin Rapids Rotary Foundation, PO Box 757, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the UW Cancer Center staff and Dr. Ron Kirschling, and to the staff at House of the Dove in Marshfield, for their exceptional care and thoughtfulness.
