Geraldine Grace Polenske

Geraldine Grace (Reekie) Polenske was born May 11, 1936 in Sparta, Wisconsin to Harold and Catherine (Sullivan) Reekie. Gerri grew up in Tomah, Wisconsin and graduated from St. Scholastica Academy in 1954. Gerri married Arden “Ardie” Polenske on April 26, 1958 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and to this union, two children were born: Jeff and Debbie. Through the years, the family has made their home in Beaver Dam and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Omaha and Columbus, Nebraska, Appleton, Wisconsin, and back to Omaha. Gerri worked for many years as a clerk with the Omaha World Herald. She has been active with Book Clubs and the Republican Women’s Group. Gerri enjoyed reading, volunteering with various groups, and teaching English as a second language. She was an avid collector of books and glassware. She was a gentle-spirited, well read, loyal, family oriented woman, who enjoyed classical music, a good book, and a fine glass of red wine. Gerri will be remembered as a happy woman, who loved reading, cared for her friends, and cherished her family. Gerri died at her daughter, Debbie’s home in Elkhorn, Nebraska on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at the age of 76 years, 6 months, and 13 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Catherine, and her husband Arden. Gerri is survived by her children Jeffrey (Ellen) Polenske of Appleton, WI and Debbie (Dave) Raymond of Elkhorn, NE. Grandchildren: Lauren, Whitney (Joshua), Taylor, Seth, Hannah and Luke, Josh, Matt, Sarah, and Hannah, and sisters: Rosemary Sullivan of Sheboygan, WI, and Catherine (Eric) Goetz of Madison, WI. Geraldine Grace Polenske, age 76, of Elkhorn, NE, died 11/24/12. Gerri was born on May 11, 1936 in Sparta, WI. Preceded in death by her parents Harold and Catherine, and her husband Ardie. Survived by children Jeffrey (Ellen) Polenske of Appleton, WI and Debbie (Dave) Raymond of Elkhorn, NE. Grandchildren: Lauren, Whitney (Joshua), Taylor, Seth, Hannah and Luke, Josh, Matt, Sarah, and Hannah, sisters: Rose Mary Sullivan of Sheboygan, WI, and Catherine (Eric) Goetz of Madison, WI. Funeral Mass Friday, 11/30/12, 10:30AM, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Elkhorn. Internment: Prospect Hill Cemetery of Elkhorn. Visitation: Thursday from 4-7 PM with a wake service at 7 PM at Reichmuth Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society.

Geraldine Grace Polenske

May 11, 1936 - November 24, 2012