Obituary for Winnifred Ann Polenz
Winnifred “Winnie” Ann Polenz, of Omro, passed away on Friday, February 26, 2021. She was born in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 18, 1928, the daughter of the late George and Anna (Hall) Basterash. She married Gordon Polenz September 25, 1947 when she was 19. He preceded her in death on March 4, 1993.
Winnie was unable to have children but her and Gordon raised five of their nieces and nephews: Julie, Willie, Perry, Reggie and Jean from small on as their own in Cudahy, Wisconsin. When the children grew and moved away Winnie and Gordon moved to Winnebago County around 1985. Winnie volunteered at Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh for many years then volunteered at the Omro Thrift Shop. Winnie and Gordon were both very kind and generous people.
While in Omro after Gordon’s passing, niece, Jean and her son, Benjamin, moved in with Winnie. Jean passed away on November 27, 1995, so Winnie adopted Ben to raise while he attended school in Omro. Unfortunately, Ben also passed a few years later on August 28, 1998. With them gone Winnie moved into Fox View Manor, a nice lower apartment. As she was getting older she developed some dementia which led her to move to Webster Manor. Winnie was so happy at Webster Manor and lived there for seven years where she had many friends, both staff and other residents until her death. She will be greatly missed by all.
Winnie is survived by step-brother, Don Basterash (Cari Hartman) Cable, WI; Don’s son Scott (Jenny) Basterash and their daughters: Bailey and Lilly of Watertown, WI; Don’s son, Shawn (Shannon) Basterash and their children: Tyler and Amber of Franklin, WI; step- sister-in-law, Ellen Basterash (wife of Dale) of Phillips, WI, and their sons: Dale Jr and Duane. Winnie is further survived by her adopted children: Julie Ann (Jeffrey) Novak of Manitowoc, WI, William Edison (Joy) Mark of South Milwaukee, WI, Perry Alvin (Debbi) Mark of Eure, SC, and Reginald Charles Mark of Kingsford, MI; sister-in-law, Nancy Polenz of TX; nieces and nephews: Edward Miels, Greg Miels and Timothy Miels, Carol and Patty Polenz, and Carolyn, Kathy, Christine and Daniel Polenz; adopted grandchildren: Jenni Lynn Johnson of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Carrie Ann Johnson of Colorado Springs, CO, Kenneth Wain (Danielle) Fyvie of Florence, WI, Nora Jean (Robby) Krout Sault Ste. Marie, MI, William Edward Fyvie of Manitowoc, WI, Chrissy and Christopher Mark, Ronnie Mark, Khristy Mark, Derek Mark, Jessica Mark, Melissa Mark and Jeremy Mark, and Regina Mark; 13 adopted great-grandchildren and one great, great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon; brother, LeRoy “Bud” Basterash; sister-in-law, Ruth Polenz, step-brother, Dale Basterash; step-sister, Kathy; niece, Jean Mark and her son Ben.
A celebration of Life will take place in the Milwaukee Area sometime in late Spring to honor Winnie. She will rest with Gordon in Forest Hill Memorial Park in South Milwaukee. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Webster Manor 515 S. Webster Avenue, Omro, WI 54963 in the name of Winnifred Polenz.
Winnie was unable to have children but her and Gordon raised five of their nieces and nephews: Julie, Willie, Perry, Reggie and Jean from small on as their own in Cudahy, Wisconsin. When the children grew and moved away Winnie and Gordon moved to Winnebago County around 1985. Winnie volunteered at Mercy Hospital in Oshkosh for many years then volunteered at the Omro Thrift Shop. Winnie and Gordon were both very kind and generous people.
While in Omro after Gordon’s passing, niece, Jean and her son, Benjamin, moved in with Winnie. Jean passed away on November 27, 1995, so Winnie adopted Ben to raise while he attended school in Omro. Unfortunately, Ben also passed a few years later on August 28, 1998. With them gone Winnie moved into Fox View Manor, a nice lower apartment. As she was getting older she developed some dementia which led her to move to Webster Manor. Winnie was so happy at Webster Manor and lived there for seven years where she had many friends, both staff and other residents until her death. She will be greatly missed by all.
Winnie is survived by step-brother, Don Basterash (Cari Hartman) Cable, WI; Don’s son Scott (Jenny) Basterash and their daughters: Bailey and Lilly of Watertown, WI; Don’s son, Shawn (Shannon) Basterash and their children: Tyler and Amber of Franklin, WI; step- sister-in-law, Ellen Basterash (wife of Dale) of Phillips, WI, and their sons: Dale Jr and Duane. Winnie is further survived by her adopted children: Julie Ann (Jeffrey) Novak of Manitowoc, WI, William Edison (Joy) Mark of South Milwaukee, WI, Perry Alvin (Debbi) Mark of Eure, SC, and Reginald Charles Mark of Kingsford, MI; sister-in-law, Nancy Polenz of TX; nieces and nephews: Edward Miels, Greg Miels and Timothy Miels, Carol and Patty Polenz, and Carolyn, Kathy, Christine and Daniel Polenz; adopted grandchildren: Jenni Lynn Johnson of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Carrie Ann Johnson of Colorado Springs, CO, Kenneth Wain (Danielle) Fyvie of Florence, WI, Nora Jean (Robby) Krout Sault Ste. Marie, MI, William Edward Fyvie of Manitowoc, WI, Chrissy and Christopher Mark, Ronnie Mark, Khristy Mark, Derek Mark, Jessica Mark, Melissa Mark and Jeremy Mark, and Regina Mark; 13 adopted great-grandchildren and one great, great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gordon; brother, LeRoy “Bud” Basterash; sister-in-law, Ruth Polenz, step-brother, Dale Basterash; step-sister, Kathy; niece, Jean Mark and her son Ben.
A celebration of Life will take place in the Milwaukee Area sometime in late Spring to honor Winnie. She will rest with Gordon in Forest Hill Memorial Park in South Milwaukee. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Webster Manor 515 S. Webster Avenue, Omro, WI 54963 in the name of Winnifred Polenz.