WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Ellen J. ‘Polly’ Raudman, age 92 of Sturgis, passed away Wednesday morning at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
She was born Sept. 10, 1917, in Ardmore, Okla., a daughter of the late Roscoe and Mary (Carr) Palmer.
Polly had resided nearly her whole life in Sturgis and graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1935.
On March 2, 1943, she married Wallace H. “Wally” Raudman in Pueblo, Colo. He died Nov. 9, 2001.
Polly retired from Formed Tubes in Sturgis, where she had been employed for many years.
She and Wally loved their many years at Omena Lake in Sturgis, especially watching the birds and taking their friends and family on pontoon rides around the lake. They also enjoyed wintering in Florida, traveling, camping and mushrooming in northern Michigan. She also loved animals, especially her dogs.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Cindy (Jeff) Cunningham of Coopersville, Mary (Mark) Drake of Simi Valley, Calif., Gloria Goosen of Coopersville, Lewis (Deborah) Streeter of Marathon, Fla., and Jack Wyer of Texas. Also surviving are many grand nieces and grand nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Nevie Walter and Maude Streeter; and two brothers, Harry Palmer and Frank Palmer.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from noon-12:45 p.m. Saturday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, where a memorial service celebrating the life of Polly Raudman will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Rev. Robert Keim of the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis will officiate.
A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Raudman’s memory consider Pet Haven, P.O. Box 853, Sturgis, MI 49091 or Heartland Hospice, 8075 Creekside Drive, Portage, MI 49024-5390.
