Patsy Ruth Polak

Patsy Ruth Stepp was born November 25, 1945 in Inez, Kentucky to Millard and Myrtle (Preece) Stepp. Patsy Ruth grew up in Inez graduating from Inez High School. The youngest of 9 children, Patsy grew up playing in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with her siblings and enjoyed taking trips to the soda fountain in town. The family’s Baptist faith and Kentucky coal mining were a part of her proud upbringing. Being the youngest, she was very close to her parents. After high school, Patsy moved to Des Moines, Iowa with her sister, Opal. In Des Moines, she met Frank Polak. The couple became parents to a daughter, Teresa, and shortly after, moved to Omaha, Nebraska. As a young mom, Patsy earned her cosmetology license, and in 1975 opened her own hair salon, Patsy's Hair Magic, in South Omaha. Patsy and Frank had their second daughter, Frances, in 1979. Patsy and Frank shared 35 years together until his untimely passing in July 2001. Patsy was a strong, independent, loving, generous, and smart woman. She was a proud and successful business owner in South Omaha, who enjoyed fish dinners at Joe Tess's with her friends. She never lost her accent, and always considered Kentucky “home". She was an avid reader, favoring faith-based books, or romance novels. Patsy was a fan of John Fogerty and Bob Seger and enjoyed seeing them and other musicians in concert. She was known for saying “always have a plan”, and "you be good". Another of her favorite sayings was the Eleanor Roosevelt quote, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Patsy had an independent spirit with a great light about her that drew people to her. Patsy loved the outdoors and cherished family time at the cabin fishing and being near the river. She loved the sunshine and was always outside mowing, planting, gardening, and tending to the trees. She also loved feeding the birds and watching them through her window. Most of all, Patsy loved her grandkids; each one truly meant the world to her and each knew they could always count on Gramie. Always. Patsy is remembered as being a fighter until the very end. She never gave up and always had hope. Patsy never stopped being the strong one, even in her final days. Patsy died on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at her daughter Teresa’s home outside of Yutan, Nebraska at the age of 74 years, 10 months, and 4 days. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank, parents Millard & Myrtle Stepp, brothers Wilfred, Bill, John Boone, and Tom Stepp, and sisters Opal, Glendyne, Cleo, and Lucille. Survived by daughters Teresa, and husband Todd Perkins of Yutan, and Frances Nordin of Olathe, KS, grandchildren Emily, Lydia, Adam, and Eli Perkins, and Silas Nordin, great granddaughter Riley Perkins, and her later in life true love, Gale Rawson. Patsy R. Polak, age 74, of Venice, NE, formerly of South Omaha, and Inez, KY died Sept. 29, 2020. Preceded in death by husband Frank, parents Millard & Myrtle Stepp, brothers Wilfred, Bill, John Boone, and Tom Stepp, and sisters Opal, Glendyne, Cleo, and Lucille. Survived by daughters Teresa, and husband Todd Perkins of Yutan, and Frances Nordin of Olathe, KS, grandchildren Emily, Lydia, Adam, and Eli Perkins, and Silas Nordin, great granddaughter Riley Perkins, and the love of her life, Gale Rawson. Funeral service Thursday, 11 AM at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Elkhorn. Visitation with the family Wednesday from 4-8 PM at the funeral home. Interment Prospect Hill Cemetery of Elkhorn. Memorials to the American Cancer Society.

Patsy Ruth Polak

November 25, 1945 - September 29, 2020