Obit: Polzin, Ray (1924? - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Anderson, Bradtke, Close, Cunningham, Lynch, Polzin

----Source: The Plombon Funeral Home (Stanley, WI) 2/28/2018

Polzin, Ray (1924? - 23 FEB 2018)

Ray Polzin passed peacefully Friday, February 23, 2018, five days shy of his 94th birthday, at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls, a few farm fields down the road from his birthplace on a dairy farm near Cadott.

Ray’s life epitomized the greatest generation. He spent his boyhood farming, and active in 4-H and FFA, leading to his subsequent career in agriculture education.

He served in the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division for three years during World War II, involved in the Italian Campaign and peacekeeping in Yugoslavia.

He graduated from UW-River Falls and UW-Madison.

Ray married Catharine Cunningham in 1950. He proudly reported their children and spouses are all graduates of the UW-system: Mary (Rich Lynch), Steve (Beverlee Anderson Polzin) Margaret “Peg” (John Bradtke) and Scott (Melanie Close Polzin).

He spent 36 years as an agriculture agent in Clark and Sauk counties, and then 29 years in Douglas County. The Polzins enjoyed traveling to conventions of the National County Agents Association, and were able to travel with the 10th mountain alumni. They also toured the battle route, visited the Colenk family that Ray had boarded with while on duty in 1945, a connection that remains today across thousands of miles and three generations.

Throughout his life, Ray was an avid gardener, fisherman and hunter. Catharine’s, “You catch it, kill it or grow it – you cook it,” rule led to Ray being an accomplished cook (think pickled tongue, wild asparagus, homemade sauerkraut, turtle or squirrel stew, lots of venison and bass, pasties, blueberry, rhubarb and strawberry pies, egg rolls, rosettes, grilled chickens by the hundreds and more).

Ray similarly had a long portfolio of service to his profession, the community and church. He was a past president of Wisconsin County Agents. His voice was widely recognized from his 6 a.m. garden and farm radio show.

He was a longtime member of Christ Lutheran Church, and was active in leadership and landscape projects. Ray served on the board of the Douglas County Historical Society from 1957-89.

Ray was on the board of the Douglas County Aging and Disability Resource Center for two terms, and was a member and past president of the Superior Kiwanis Club since 1955. His volunteer work included helping with tomato production at the Challenge Center, and Meals on Wheels delivery with the Service Center, among others.

Upon retirement from the U-W-Extension System, Ray grew several acres of strawberries and raspberries. He continued his active hobbies picking up agates, gardening, picking berries, nuts and wild mushrooms, and fishing and hunting.

The past five years, Ray enjoyed the quality care he received from the staff, and the friendship of fellow service members, at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls. Always humble, wise and helpful, Ray’s subtle humor and kind heart will be sorely missed by family and friends.

He is survived by nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; brother – Donald (Darlene) Plozin; and sister-in-law – Jean Polzin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife – Catharine Polzin; and brother – Lloyd Polzin.
Services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Cadott, with the Rev. Raymond Bell officiating.

Interment with military honors conducted by the Cadott American Legion & VFW, was in the Brooklawn Cemetery in Cadott, followed by a lunch at the church.

Visitation was from 10 a.m., until the time of service, Wednesday morning, at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls, 2175 East Park Ave., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.

Leiser Funeral Home in Cadott is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.leiserfuneralhome.com.