"I'm so sorry for your loss. I remember seeing Aunt Polly at the cabin. She always made time to ask me about the activities in my life. She truly cared and was interested. I learned that from her. she will be missed. "
In loving memory of
Pauline "Polly" Duchac
August 20, 1937 - August 17, 2014
Pauline "Polly" Duchac, of Antigo, died August 17, 2014, at home under the care of LeRoyer Hospice and her loving family and friends. She was 76 years old. She was born on August 20, 1937 in Antigo, WI, a daughter of Herman and Helen (Johanek) Igl. She married Gerald Duchac on October 21, 1961 at St. John Catholic Church in Antigo. He preceded her in death on April 26, 1999.
Polly graduated in 1955 from Antigo High School during which time she worked as a waitress at Young's Night Club and Club '77. She attended St. Mary's School of Nursing in Wausau and received her RN degree in 1958. After graduating from nursing school, she worked at St. Mary's Hospital in Wausau for a short time before moving back to Antigo where she was employed as Dr. B.W. Beattie's office nurse. After her marriage to Jerry they moved to Racine where she worked at St. Mary's Hospital in the children's ward and also as an office nurse for Dr. A.J. Schleper. In 1967, they moved back to Antigo and she returned to work for Dr. Beattie on a part-time basis. Polly went to work at Eastview Medical Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in 1974, retiring in 2003. In sum, she spent forty-five years in the nursing profession. Polly and Jerry also owned and operated the Farmer's Elevator from 1968-1978.
Polly loved spending time watching the Antigo Girls' Basketball team play which her son, Dennis, coached. In addition, she cherished time with her grandchildren-she was her grandson Marvin's #1 baseball fan. She enjoyed walking, and exercising at Curves. A joy in her life was cooking and baking for family and friends and entertaining around the kitchen table. Polly was also a volunteer at St. John Catholic Church, lending a hand for Mission Fish-Fry's, funeral dinners, Soup and Sermons and other special events.
Survivors include a daughter, Jodi (Bill) Jelinek of Tomahawk, two sons, Doug (Bernice) Duchac of Tomahawk, Dennis (Carrie) Duchac of Antigo; four sisters, Betty Miller of Eau Claire, Judy (Virgil) Arrowood of Wausau, Dorothy (Jerry) Stepien of Sobieski, Pat (Ron) Bruett of Eau Claire; two brothers, Thomas Igl of Antigo, David (Sandy) Igl of Hutchinson, MN; a sister-in-law, Judy La Fave of Eau Claire; three brothers-in-law, Jack (Dee) Duchac of Racine, Jim (Nancy) Scholz of Rhinelander, Gerald (Joan) Miller of Florida; two grandchildren, Billy Jelinek and Marvin Duchac and two step-grandchildren, Laura and Justin Widder.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Irene, in infancy, a twin sister, Kate Scholz, a sister-in-law, Nancy Igl, a brother-in-law, Gene La Fave, and her niece and Godchild, Mary Scholz.
A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 21 at 11 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church, Antigo, with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery following the funeral Mass. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 20th (her birthday) from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home. A parish wake and remembrance service will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Tributes
"I was saddened to hear of Polly's passing and I'm sorry I couldn't make it up there for the wake or funeral. At 88 I don't get around as well as I used to. Please accept my condolences to the family in this time of loss and grief. My thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Jodi, Doug & families, Very sorry for your loss. We only met your mother one time but really enjoyed the visit with her. Our condolences to all of you."
"I have so many memories of Aunt Polly as one of the raucous of us at our good time family gatherings. She lived such a giving life and raised some fine children. My heart goes out to those special cousins, to my mom, Betty, and to the entire clan in this sad time. Much love to one and all."
"I've known Polly since 1974 when I worked for Dr. Beattie, and then reconnected at Curves. I just loved seeing and talking to her, and will truly miss her!"
"She will be missed dearly! I have lots of good memories of Polly & Jerry."
"I have very fond memories of Polly. She was a wonderful lady. I met her when her son Doug first moved to Tomahawk and knew her for a long time. One of her favorite things to do when she would visit Tomahawk was to go pontoonong on the Somo river. My thoughts and prayers are with the Duchac family."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time ... Thinking if you. Steve and Julie"
"Jody and family~ So sorry for your loss! Much love to you all! Xoxo"
"Polly was a classmate in high school and nursing school. She had a wonderful sense of humor. I always looked forward to seeing her at our reunions. She will be missed. My condolences to her large and loving family."
"We are so very sorry for your loss. Polly was a wonderful lady and will be missed by many. We are keeping her and all of her family in our hearts and prayers. Love, The Mark Incha family"