Ella Frances Polach

Traverse City - Ella Frances Polach, 92, of Traverse City and formerly of Hoxeyville and Chicago passed away peacefully August 26, 2012 at Munson Medical Center surrounded by her family.

Ella was born on October 20, 1919 to the late Frank and Emma Jarolim on their farm in Hoxeyville. After graduating from high school, she moved to Chicago where she met her future husband, Jerry Polach. Jerry and Ella married on May 29, 1948, and together they raised two daughters. In 1982, Jerry and Ella retired to Hoxeyville to live on the land where Ella grew up, and in 2004 they relocated to Traverse City.

Ella was a selfless wife, mother and friend, who throughout her life helped and nurtured those around her. She loved the outdoors, and was an inveterate walker and observer of the beauty of nature. In Traverse City, she took many long walks on the TART Trail. She was a great cook and baker, and food was one of the many ways she took care of her family and friends.

Ella is survived by Jerry, her husband of 64 years, her daughters Linda (James Boyd) Polach and Patricia (Stephen Coye) Polach, her grandchildren Alyssa, Olivia, Gavin, and Zoe, and her niece Shirley (John) Habian.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Frank Jarolim.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2012 at 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 720 Second Street, Traverse City, MI. Interment will follow at 3:30 pm at Bankers Cemetery in Hoxeyville.

Memorial contributions in memory of Ella may be directed to the TART Trails Inc, P.O. Box 252, Traverse City, MI 49685. www.traversetrails.org

Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family.

The family is being served by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.