Donald W. Polzin, age 92, New London, passed away Monday, January 19, 2015. He was staying at Golden Vista RV Resort (his favorite winter hang-out) in Apache Junction, AZ.
He was born March 29, 1922 and was the son of Robert and Lydia (Bloch) Polzin. Don attended a one room grade school in West Rosendale, graduated from Ripon High School in 1939 and earned a BA from Ripon College in 1943. He worked part time at the Ripon State Bank while in college. After graduation, he became assistant cashier at the Brownsville State Bank and later became manager and assistant cashier of the Pickett State Bank. He purchased a grocery store in Rosendale with his wife, Mary Lou, which they ran for six years. They sold that store and built a new supermarket in New London which was in business for 21 years. His was the first grocery store to be open 24 hours a day in New London and he enjoyed his business immensely. Don was an active member of the New London Lions Club serving as president and received the Birch-Storm Fellowship award. He was on the annual allocation committee for United Fund, worked on the community Thanksgiving dinner and was an active member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in New London. He was a mentor at the middle school and taught reading to adults. Don was a member of the New London Golf Club and Nicolet Country Club at Laona. In New London he was chairman of the committee that started the weekly golf scramble on Friday mornings. Don enjoyed golf, cards, fishing, hunting and traveling all over the world from Antarctica to Africa to Russia and parts in between. Don served his country in the US Army. Most of all he loved his family and friends.
Don is survived by: his wife Dorothea Ernst Grossman Polzin; daughters, Judy Clements, Waukesha, WI; Sally (Gene) Brunn, Woodbury, MN; sons, Donald “Skip” (Terry) Polzin, Fort Collins, CO; Mark Grossman, Walden, Colorado; grandchildren: Elizabeth Clements Dahlen (Matt), Katie Clements (fiancé, Rob Lawrence), Natalie Brunn, Daniel Brunn (Tamra ) and Valaurie Polzin (Bill) Tatro. He delighted in his seven great-grandchildren: Shaun and Zach Dahlen, Carson Brunn and his soon-to-be-born twin brothers; and Jacque, Sophie, Audrey and Liam Tatro. He is further survived by nephew Robin Polzin (Dyann), Galveston, TX; Goddaughter Carol Polzin (Jack) Daniels; and aunt, Violet Bloch Bahr, Oshkosh and many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Lou Steiner Polzin, and his brother, Melvin Polzin.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2015, at the Golden Vista Resort (3710 S. Goldfield Road, ballroom) in Apache Junction, AZ and in New London at a later date. Memorials may be sent to First Congregational UCC Church (110 E Hancock St., New London, WI 54961) or Golden Vista RV Resort, Main Office, 3710 S. Goldfield Rd., Apache Junction, AZ 85119. Cline & Hanson Funeral Home, New London is assisting the family with arrangements.