Pauline “Polly” M. Woodward

POYNETTE – Pauline “Polly” M. Woodward, 76, passed away on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at the Columbia County Health Care Center in Wyocena in the presence of her loving children Buck and Paula.

Polly was born on December 14, 1941, in Waunakee, the daughter of Robert and Gladys (Wilke) Olson. She attended Madison Business College following high school and worked at the University while living in Madison for several years. She married Paul Woodward on July 6, 1963, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Arlington. Together, they farmed and raised their children before transitioning to new careers. Polly stayed at home with her children before rejoining the workforce and working for over 30 years at Gaskets, Inc. as the administrative executive in Rio.

Polly enjoyed her flower gardens, puzzles, reading, games, picnics, fishing, driving trips and her coffee. Many of the restaurants that Paul and Polly frequented over the years just knew that coffee was Polly’s drink of choice and always set her up with her own carafe when she arrived for before dinner conversation and beverages with Paul.

She loved spending time in the Northwoods with friends and family at her cabin. All her grandchildren developed a love for fishing based upon grandma and grandpa’s cabin, boat and the lake. We know that the cabin along with the Northwoods will continue to live in the Woodward family hearts where generation after generation will be able to continue to enjoy the Northwood’s lake experience. Each of the grandchildren have memories of going to the cabin and spending quality time with grandma playing cards or sitting on the pier with a fishing line in the water.

She loved her grandchildren. She cherished time spent with them and took great pride in each of them. They brought her great joy and pride in every endeavor they took on. She was supportive of their dreams and encouraged them to pursue those dreams. She was proud of her grandson Ty and his commitment to law enforcement with the Wausau police department. Enjoyed youth, high school and college basketball games for her granddaughter, Tierney; attendance at youth basketball events for Codi, along with daily after-school visits by Codi. She truly enjoyed each day picking up Codi from school and spending time together in her home. Polly was supportive of her granddaughter, Paige, as she was growing up in Amboy, Illinois and proud of her accomplishments and development into a giving young woman. She now lives in Sterling, Illinois.

Polly will be dearly missed by her children, Buck (Lisa) Woodward, Poynette, Paula Woodward, Pardeeville; grandchildren, Ty, Tierney and Codi Woodward, Paige Lewis; sisters and brothers, Rachel Spear, Elkhorn; Bob (Kathy) Olson, Jr., Tomah; Carl Olson, Londonberry, NH; Jenny Smith, East Troy; Becky Ingersoll, Tustin, CA; Sonja (George) Twaroski, West Allis; Gretchen (Tim) Mantz, Oak Park, IL; brother-in-law, Art Woodward, Rio; sisters-in-law, Bea (Walt) Lindner, Rio, Evelyn (Don) Jerred, Cambria, Helen (Marvin) Manke, Poynette  and other relatives along with many friends. She was preceded in death by loving husband of 54 years Paul, her parents, Robert and Gladys Olson; sisters-in-law, Doris Wheeler, Rosanne Woodward; brothers-in-law, Larry Wheeler, Gene Spear; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Irene Woodward.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 2, 2018, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, with Pastor Christopher Amen. Inurnment will follow in Hillside Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Poynette and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to friends and family along with all the caring staff at Columbia Health Care Center for their kindness and compassion.

Polly (wife, mom, grandma) will be dearly missed. We take peace in the fact that she will be in a better place with Paul, friends and family that passed before her.

In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Arlington.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Poynette is assisting the family.