Obituary for Duane Polman
Duane Jerome Polman was born on April 16, 1927 in Wadena, Minnesota. 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, Minnesota.
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 & grandkids skiing and tubing. Together Duane and Dorothy enjoyed vacations throughout the United States, Mexico and Europe. Â
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 WI; 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; 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.
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 & grandkids skiing and tubing. Together Duane and Dorothy enjoyed vacations throughout the United States, Mexico and Europe. Â
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 WI; 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; 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.
Previous Events
Visitation
Wednesday
31
Jan
4:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Karvonen Funeral Home - Wadena
419 2nd Street NE
Wadena, MN 56482
Parish prayers will be held at 5:00 p.m. followed by a rosary service at 6:00 p.m.
Service
Thursday
1
Feb
11:00 AM
St. Ann's Catholic Church ~ Wadena
514 1st Street SE
Wadena, MN 56482
Visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass.
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