Obit: Hantke, Pauline Frances (1932 - 2008)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hantke, Swann, Bjerke

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) Tuesday, 16 Dec. 2008

Hantke, Pauline Frances (29 Sept. 1932 - 11 Dec. 2008)

Neillsville, Wis. -- Pauline Hantke, 76, of Neillsville, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008, at the Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville. Pauline Frances Hantke was born Sept. 29, 1932, in the town of Grant, Clark County, the daughter of Rueben and Genevieve (Swann) Hantke. As a little girl, her parents called her Polly, and that is how everyone knew her for the rest of her life. She attended a country school in Grant Township. In 1955, Polly and her parents moved from their farm on Pray Avenue to her grandparent's farm on Miller Avenue. Shortly after the move, her father, Rueben, died following an automobile accident. Polly and her mother decided to try and farm through that winter, since they already had the feed. As it turned out, they farmed for the next 33 years, selling their dairy herd in 1988. In addition to farming, Polly also worked at Short's Fur Farm during the pelting season for several years. Genevieve died in 1992, but Polly continued to live on the farm right up until her death. Polly was a member of the Wisconsin Historical Society. She loved genealogy, tracing her family history and telling stories about the past. Aside from knowing her own history, Polly knew the histories of many other local families. She also enjoyed stamp collecting, tracking the weather and collecting magazines and the local newspapers. Polly was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rueben and Genevieve Hantke.

We would like to thank the staff of Memorial Medical Center for the care and friendship they gave to Polly.

A Memorial Service for Polly will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, 2008, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Douglas Bjerke will officiate. Interment will be in the town of Grant cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Friday at the Gesche Funeral Home.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Polly's family with funeral arrangements.