Home > United States of America > Iowa > Benton County > Belle Plaine > Oak Hill Cemetery > Albert Polka

Albert Polka

Birth	:	1 Jul 1909 Tama County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	25 Nov 1955 Tama, Tama County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Oak Hill Cemetery, Belle Plaine, Benton County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.8987007, -92.2571030
Description	:	Tama Man Takes Own Life; Found On Porch at Home Albert Polka took his own life by shooting himself with a shotgun Friday afternoon. Coroner Harvey Jones said that there was no indication that Polka might have shot himself accidentally while handling the gun. The unfortunate man had been despondent for quite some time. He left no note of any kind to tell that he intended to take his life. Polka was found dead on the back porch of the house he lived in here in Tama. Mrs. Mary Danielsen, his mother-in-law, found his body at 10 minutes after 5 p.m. Friday... Read More	Tama Man Takes Own Life; Found On Porch at Home Albert Polka took his own life by shooting himself with a shotgun Friday afternoon. Coroner Harvey Jones said that there was no indication that Polka might have shot himself accidentally while handling the gun. The unfortunate man had been despondent for quite some time. He left no note of any kind to tell that he intended to take his life. Polka was found dead on the back porch of the house he lived in here in Tama. Mrs. Mary Danielsen, his mother-in-law, found his body at 10 minutes after 5 p.m. Friday when she returned from the Soleman Annex building where she had been clerking at a rummage sale, sponsored by ladies of St. Patrick’s church. Mrs. Polka was in Kansas City, Mo., visiting with her daughter, Mrs. Arnold (Betty) Chantland. Polka was dead for about two hours from a shotgun wound in his left chest at the top of the heart. It is believed that he was standing holding the gun at his left side when the shot was fired. The gun was lying at his feet. His arms were thrown back and death apparently was instantaneous. He was dressed in underclothes, in shorts and undershirt, and was in his stocking feet. He had freshly bathed and shaved. Upon arriving home, Mrs. Danielsen found the kitchen door open to the back porch. She had not remembered leaving it open. As soon as she stepped to the door she saw Polka lying on the porch, the 20 gauge shotgun near his feet. Had she not found the door to the back porch open, she might have gone to the back porch anyway to fix the furnace fire, since the coal burning furnace for the house is located on the back porch. Friday morning, after returning from the business district, Polka had asked Mrs. Danielsen to give her his guns. They were still with some household effects that had not yet been unpacked since the Polkas moved to the Danielsen home. Mrs. Danielsen got the old 20 gauge shotgun which Polka had owned since before their marriage, also a rifle that was with the shotgun. She believed that Polka had met a friend in the business district and the two planned to go hunting together. None of the neighbors reported hearing the shotgun blast. Because it was fired at short range, the noise probably was not too loud, authorities said. The back porch was enclosed. Rites November 28 For Albert Polka Funeral services for Albert Polka, 46, of Tama, were held at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon, November 28, 1955, at the Harrison funeral home. Rev. Jack G. Speer officiated. Miss Anna Slaboch sang, accompanied by Mrs. Lloyd Strine at the piano. Bearers were Joe Rund, John Husak, William Anderson, Harold Shefchik, Floyd Rutledge and Emil Uchytil. Interment was in Oak Hill cemetery. Mr. Polka died Friday afternoon, Nov. 25, 1955, at his home here. Albert Polka, youngest of 13 children of John and Frances Prusha Polka, was born July 1, 1909, on a farm south of Chelsea, Iowa. He attended a rural school and Chelsea High School after his parents moved to town. As a young man he was associated with his brothers in the Polka Motor Company garage in Chelsea where he worked as a mechanic. He was married April 20, 1931, to Joyce Mary Daily of Tama, the wedding taking place in St. Patrick’s rectory at Tama. The couple lived in Chelsea until the following January, 1932, then came to Tama. Mr. Polka worked as a mason for Chris Danielsen, and then was employed by the Spahn and rose Lumber company for a number of years. He then went to Colorado where he was employed for some time. Returning here, he worked for the Joslyn Manufacturing and Supply company, and then for the Milwaukee railroad with the bridge repair crew. Next, he was employed by the street department of the City of Tama for more than two years. Lately, he had been employed by the Spahn and Rose Lumber company as extra help. He joined the Tama volunteer fire department July 5, 1934, and retired March 18, 1948, having served almost 14 years. He was also a member of the Eagles lodge. Since coming to Tama from Chelsea in 1932, Polka and his family had lived at 400 East 4th street until last June when he sold his home to George Ratliffe. Polka and his wife then moved to the home of her mother, Mrs. Mary Danielsen, who was alone. Surviving are his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Arnold (Betty) Chantland of Kansas City, Mo., Mrs. Wm. B. (Donna Mae) Smith of near Gilman, and three granddaughters, Nancy Sue and Carol Anne Chantland, and Debra Ann Smith. Also surviving are his mother, Mrs. Frances Polka, 90, in a nursing home at Belle Plaine; and three sisters and six brothers, namely, Mrs. Charles (Emma ) Iezek, Hartwick; Mrs. James (Barbara) Benda and Mrs. Frank (Mary) Behounek, Belle Plaine; Emil Polka, Minneapolis, Minn.; Joseph of Toledo, Frank of Belle Plaine, George and James Polka of Belle Plaine and Charles of Chelsea. Preceding him in death were his father in 1932 and a brother, Lewis Polka in 1943 at Chelsea and another brother, William and sister, Anna, in infancy. Here for the last rites were the two daughters and all the brothers and sisters, also relatives from Kearney, Nebr., Silvis and Rock Island, Ill., and Colfax, Ia. Dale Danielsen of Miami, Florida, and a brother in law, also attended. He came by air, arriving Sunday afternoon and left Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. Arnold Chantland and two children from Kansas City, will spend two weeks with Mrs. Joyce Polka. Mr. Chantland, who brought his family here last Friday night, returned to Kansas City Monday. He will come here Friday and spend a week, then take his family to Kansas City.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Albert Polka's memorial?
Albert Polka's memorial is located at: Oak Hill Cemetery, Belle Plaine, Benton County, USA.
When did Albert Polka death?
Albert Polka death on 25 Nov 1955 in Tama, Tama County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Albert Polka's memorial?
Latitude: 41.8987007
Longitude: -92.2571030

Family Members:

Parent

John Polka

(1855 - 1932)

Frances Prusha Polka

(1864 - 1958)

Siblings

(1880 - 1973)

(1883 - 1967)

(1885 - 1973)

(1887 - 1961)

(1888 - 1940)

(1892 - 1977)

(1894 - 1965)

Joseph P. “Joe” Polka

(1897 - 1975)

Anna Polka

(1903 - 1912)

Emil C. Polka

(1906 - 1968)

Children

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Oak Hill Cemetery
Belle Plaine, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8987007, -92.2571030

2. Beal Pioneer Cemetery
Belle Plaine, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8903008, -92.2538986

3. Wright Cemetery
Belle Plaine, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9136009, -92.2643967

4. Lutheran Cemetery
Luzerne, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8991950, -92.1852390

5. Arbuthnot Cemetery
Chelsea, Tama County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9416550, -92.3001787

6. Irving Cemetery
Irving, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9505997, -92.2797012

7. Blake Cemetery
Poweshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8598000, -92.3130500

8. International Cemetery
Luzerne, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8981018, -92.1800003

9. Dover Pioneer Cemetery
Koszta, Iowa County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8463070, -92.2901180

10. Evergreen Cemetery
Hartwick, Poweshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8494000, -92.3183000

11. Winslow Cemetery
Poweshiek County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8438988, -92.3230972

12. Dayton Cemetery
Iowa County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8555984, -92.1757965

13. Ranstead Cemetery
Luzerne, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9201622, -92.1613846

14. Redman Cemetery
Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9710999, -92.2917023

15. Chambers Cemetery
Chelsea, Tama County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8706017, -92.3535995

16. Holan Cemetery
Tama County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8652992, -92.3563995

17. Flathers Hancox Walton Cemetery
Chelsea, Tama County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9221992, -92.3656006

18. Athey Cemetery
Iowa County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8478012, -92.1580963

19. Koszta Cemetery
Koszta, Iowa County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8143997, -92.2018967

20. Wilkinson Cemetery
Chelsea, Tama County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8918991, -92.3855972

21. Dvorak Cemetery
Elberon, Tama County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9713000, -92.3417000

22. Saint Josephs Cemetery
Chelsea, Tama County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9267006, -92.3850021

23. Keystone Cemetery
Keystone, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9939003, -92.2172012

24. Van Metre Cemetery
Keystone, Benton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9614983, -92.1514969