Helen Delores "Dee" Polson

Helen Delores “Dee” Polson 87, died Wednesday, March 7, 2018 the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, Seneca. Visitation was Friday, March 9, from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home.  The family received friends  from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service was held at  11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 10, at Salem Lutheran Church near Axtell. Rev. David Winquist officiated.  Shirley Polson was organist and the congregation sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "Children of the Heavenly Father." Pallbearers were Nathan Polson, Adam Polson, Zachary Polson, Joel Brown, Joshua Brown and Benjamin Anenson.  Burial was in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery. Dee was born on June 10, 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri to Dr. Carl A.B. and Helen Peterson Swanson. She grew up in Savonburg, KS until she was 13 years old and moved to Axtell KS in 1943 where her father served as Pastor of Salem Lutheran Church.  She graduated from Frankfort HS and later from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois with a degree in education.  She taught school in Holdrege NE where she enjoyed coaching and teaching physical education.  She also taught reading and was a substituted teacher in northeast KS for many years.  She enjoyed every opportunity to teach and encourage the lives of young people. On July 15, 1953 Dee and Lloyd Polson were married at Salem Lutheran. They lived in the Salem farm community all their lives with the exception of a short period in eastern Colorado.  She and Lloyd enjoyed the many opportunities that came with the Salem family.  Both of them loved to sing, whether it was in the kitchen, on a tractor or in the church choir, their love for music was a great blessing to many.  She loved being involved in teaching Sunday School, women’s groups or bringing a good word to those in need.  Her fellowship with the Salem church family was a great blessing where joys and sorrows were shared with life-long friends. For 8 years Lloyd was a state representative in Topeka where Dee became involved in various support organizations with the wives of representatives.   Prayer groups, Bible Studies and pro-life initiatives were a big part of her life. Family and friends were everything to Dee whether it was the delivery of fresh bread to a hurting family, a timely note of encouragement to friends across the plains or cookies in the mailbox for the mailman.  She was a wonderful grandma and a fun aunt to many nephews and nieces who loved getting her goodies from the kitchen delivered with laughter and a warm smile that always communicated how special they were.  She enjoyed the great outdoors, playing tennis, swimming and taking anybody willing to hold a rod to go fishing.  Dee had a special love for animals and the many pets that entertained her throughout her life. Dee was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd; her parents, Dr. Carl A.B. & Helen Swanson; her parents-in-law, Albin and Della Polson; her sisters, Eleanor Johnson and Lois Swanson; sister in-law, Louise Anderson; brothers in-law, Lyle Johnson, Stanley Swanson, Kenneth Kempley, Howard Anderson. She is survived by her children Craig (Linda) Vermillion KS, Susan (Mike) Paola KS, Trish (Mike) Minneapolis MN, grandchildren Jessica, Nathan, Joel, Zach, Josh, Heidi, Adam, Benjamin, Katrina, Anna and great grand-children, Jeremiah, Ethan.  She is also survived many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Dee leaves a legacy of always reflecting the love of her Lord in a life of service to others.A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later.  Contributions may be sent in care of the Axtell-Landreth Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Delores "Dee" Polson, please visit our flower store.