Obit: Polnasek, William D. "Bill" (1931 - 2009)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Polnasek, Bogumill, Deutsch, Bosse, Balder, Loomis, Haase

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI.) May 6, 2009

Polnasek, William D. "Bill" (17 August 1931 - 29 April 2009) With Flag

William D. "Bill" Polnasek, age 77, of Union Grove, died Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at South Wisconsin Veterans Home. He was born Aug. 17, 1931 in Thorp to Thomas and Elizabeth (nee Bogumill) Polnaszek. He spent his early life in Thorp. He served in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman during the Korean Conflict. On June 30, 1956 he was united in marriage to Rose Ann M. Deutsch in Stanley. They have made their home in Union Grove since 1966.

Bill was a licensed funeral director and owner/operator of the Polnaszek Funeral Home in Union Grove. He was a charter member of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church; serving on its finance committee during the church’s early years and later serving on the church council. He was a member and past post commander of American Legion Post 171 and served on the honor guard. He enjoyed walking, bowling and golfing. He enjoyed sports, especially Wisconsin teams, and he loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

His community involvement was extensive. He served on the community liaison committee for Southern Wisconsin Center for many years. He was president and director of the Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1973 he received the Chamber Man of the year Award. He was a member and past president of the Union Grove Lions Club and recipient of its Melvin Jones award.

He received the Jaycees physical fitness award for community youth work. He was a little league coach involved in championship teams. He served on the board of the former Memorial Pool Association and was campaign fund chairman. He served as vice president and director of the Union Grove Development Corp. and was instrumental in getting the Union Grove Downtown Association started.

In early negotiations, he worked to have Oak Ridge Care Center relocate to Union Grove from the town of Yorkville. He was past president of the Union Grove Memorial Association, administering the Union Grove Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Rose Ann M. Polnasek of Union Grove; children: Gregory (Nancy) Polnasek of Albion, MI, Elizabeth (Ebi) Bosse of La Crosse, Janet (Chip) Balder of Holmen, and Lois (Loren) Loomis of Union Grove; grandchildren: Kevin, Bradley and Sarah Polnasek, Allison, Kate and Roy Balder, Matthew and Rachel Loomis. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Edward, George and Richard; and sister, Deanie.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Union Grove with Rev. Howard Haase officiating. Burial followed at Union Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends met with the family on Sunday, May 3rd from 4-7 p.m., with a prayer vigil at 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorials have been suggested to St. Robert’s or American Legion Post 171 or Union Grove Lions Club.

The family would like to thank the staff at VA Boland Hall for the care they gave Bill.