Donald Polka

MARSHALLTOWN- Donald Frank Polka, 97, of Marshalltown, passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at Southridge Specialty Care in Marshalltown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 10:30 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Parish-St. Mary's Church in Marshalltown. Interment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held Monday, April 29, 2024, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Donald was born on October 1, 1926, in Chelsea, Iowa, the son of Frank and Esther (Kolash) Polka.

Donald served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.

On December 2, 1950, he was united in marriage to Shirley Smith at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. After he got out of the service, he worked at a wood surfacing plant in Tama and was the last living person left from the plant. Don also worked various other local jobs before starting his career at Fisher Controls in Marshalltown and retiring from there.

Donald was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marshalltown and the Tama American Legion. He enjoyed collecting coins and taking trips with the family. Don was a St. Louis Cardinal fan for eighty years and enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino.

Survivors include one daughter, Carla (Sean) McNulty of Florida; one son, Donald C. Polka of Florida; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and his special friends, Larry and Mindy Kunkel of Marshalltown.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Shirley on January 15, 2021; an infant son, Robert E. Polka in 1955.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family.