Duane Polman
1927 – 2018
Mass of Christian Burial was held for Duane Polman age 90, of Wadena, Minnesota on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena with Fr. Aaron Kuhn officiating. The pallbearers were Michael Aldrich, Clifford Aldrich, Ryan Tabery, Peter Hayes, Matt Hayes and Kyle Polman. Honorary Pallbearers were Wally Anderson, Gerald Peterson, Tom Weis and Randy Grondahl. Military Honors were provided by the Elmer Goche Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3922 of Wadena, Minnesota. Duane was laid to rest in St. Frederick’s Catholic Cemetery in Verndale.
Duane Jerome Polman was born on April 16, 1927 in Wadena. His parents were the late Nicholas and Mary (Phillips) Polman. Duane graduated from Verndale High School in 1945. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy. Returning to Wadena, Duane was self-employed as a trucker hauling gravel, pulpwood and lumber. In 1946 he founded Polman Transfer in Wadena. On July 26, 1950 Duane was united in marriage to Dorothy Kela at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena. Their marriage was blessed with eleven children. Duane and Dorothy made their home in Sebeka where they owned and operated the Red Owl Grocery Store. In 1955 they moved back to Wadena where they continued to nurture their family and family business, Polman Transfer. Duane worked side by side with his sons, Nick and DJ, at Polman Transfer as he gradually retired in 1998. Duane and Dorothy enjoyed their cabin with family and friends on Ottertail Lake. Duane loved to give grand tours of the lake, fishing, pulling the kids and grandkids skiing and tubing. Together Duane and Dorothy enjoyed vacations throughout the United States, Mexico and Europe.
On January 25, 2018 Duane passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota at 90 years of age. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Preceding Duane in death were his parents; sister Donna Lindgren and brother Val Polman.
Duane is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Dorothy of Wadena; daughters: Deborah (Jeffery) King of Madison, Wisconsin, Diane (Ronald Schmitz) Polman of Cold Spring, Daneen Aldrich of Wadena, Gayle (Ken) Tabery of Wadena, Delores Polman of Wadena, Darla (Pete) Hayes of Wadena, Dana Hegarty of Brainerd, and Jean (Brian) Geiser of Eagle Bend; sons: Gregory Polman of Chicago, Nick (Lonna Watland) Polman of Aldrich and DJ (Gloria) Polman of Bluffton; 32 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; brother Claire Polman of Sebeka; many other relatives and a host of friends.
Arrangements were provided by Karvonen Funeral and Cremation Services of Wadena. Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to send Duane’s family a message of comfort and support.