Obituary for Dennis R. Polak
Polak, Dennis R.
Freeland, Michigan
Our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, Dennis R. Polak, passed away suddenly in the early evening hours of Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at his son’s residence in Monitor Township, Michigan. Age 74 years. Dennis was born on June 8, 1948 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late Raymond and Stella (Wellman) Polak. He was a 1966 graduate of Arthur Hill High School. Following high school, Dennis furthered his education by attending Delta College and Lawrence Technological University; he went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture. Dennis worked for several Architecture Firms in the Tri-City Area; during the mid-point of his career he owned and operated his own company. On June 27, 1975 inside of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Saginaw, Michigan, Dennis married his loving wife, Rita J. Rieffel, and she survives him. Dennis was a very faithful man; he was an active member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, a local Padre Pio Prayer Group, and a past member of the Knights of Columbus. Dennis love sailing, fishing, and being up north at his cabin in Lupton. He always had enjoyment for the great outdoors; in his younger years he liked hunting and archery. Dennis always looked forward to his regular and sometimes spontaneous breakfast and luncheons with his church friends and other longtime friends. He had many joys and interests in life, but nothing brought him as much happiness as spending time with his family; especially his outdoor adventures with his grandson, Gabriel.
Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 47 years, Rita J. Polak; two children Heather (Jason) Wheatley and Justin Polak; grandson, Gabriel; two sisters and one brother, Carol (Don) Beyer, Brenda Eckard, and Brent (Janet Love) Polak; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Barbara Rieffel, William Rieffel, Mark Rieffel, Joseph Andres; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Dennis is happily reunited with his parents, Raymond and Stella (Wellman) Polak; sister, Sharon Andres; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward Rieffel and Lorraine Claus; brothers-in-law, David Sabedra and Douglas Eckard; and sisters-in-law, Etta Dietrich and Lorraine “Audrey” Strudgeon.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m., noon, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 300 Johnson St. Freeland, Michigan 48623. Concelebrating will be Rev. Fr. Christopher M. Coman and Rev. Fr. Robert J. Kelm. Visitation will take place at church, only, on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Recitation of the Rosary will take place at 10:30 a.m. at church Tuesday morning. Immediately following Mass, family and friends will travel in procession to St. Andrew Cemetery in Saginaw, Michigan for the Rite of Committal and Interment. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to “St. Agnes Catholic Church”, “Charity of Donor’s Choice”, or “Knight of Columbus Council #7582”. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Snow Funeral Home, www.snowfuneralhome.net
Freeland, Michigan
Our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, Dennis R. Polak, passed away suddenly in the early evening hours of Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at his son’s residence in Monitor Township, Michigan. Age 74 years. Dennis was born on June 8, 1948 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late Raymond and Stella (Wellman) Polak. He was a 1966 graduate of Arthur Hill High School. Following high school, Dennis furthered his education by attending Delta College and Lawrence Technological University; he went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture. Dennis worked for several Architecture Firms in the Tri-City Area; during the mid-point of his career he owned and operated his own company. On June 27, 1975 inside of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Saginaw, Michigan, Dennis married his loving wife, Rita J. Rieffel, and she survives him. Dennis was a very faithful man; he was an active member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, a local Padre Pio Prayer Group, and a past member of the Knights of Columbus. Dennis love sailing, fishing, and being up north at his cabin in Lupton. He always had enjoyment for the great outdoors; in his younger years he liked hunting and archery. Dennis always looked forward to his regular and sometimes spontaneous breakfast and luncheons with his church friends and other longtime friends. He had many joys and interests in life, but nothing brought him as much happiness as spending time with his family; especially his outdoor adventures with his grandson, Gabriel.
Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 47 years, Rita J. Polak; two children Heather (Jason) Wheatley and Justin Polak; grandson, Gabriel; two sisters and one brother, Carol (Don) Beyer, Brenda Eckard, and Brent (Janet Love) Polak; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Barbara Rieffel, William Rieffel, Mark Rieffel, Joseph Andres; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Dennis is happily reunited with his parents, Raymond and Stella (Wellman) Polak; sister, Sharon Andres; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward Rieffel and Lorraine Claus; brothers-in-law, David Sabedra and Douglas Eckard; and sisters-in-law, Etta Dietrich and Lorraine “Audrey” Strudgeon.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m., noon, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 300 Johnson St. Freeland, Michigan 48623. Concelebrating will be Rev. Fr. Christopher M. Coman and Rev. Fr. Robert J. Kelm. Visitation will take place at church, only, on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Recitation of the Rosary will take place at 10:30 a.m. at church Tuesday morning. Immediately following Mass, family and friends will travel in procession to St. Andrew Cemetery in Saginaw, Michigan for the Rite of Committal and Interment. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to “St. Agnes Catholic Church”, “Charity of Donor’s Choice”, or “Knight of Columbus Council #7582”. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Snow Funeral Home, www.snowfuneralhome.net