Pauline Ann Coleman

Pauline "Polly" Coleman, 92, of Clare, passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Trinity Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held on Saturday January 19th, at 9:45 a.m. in the Chapel of the Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home and 10:30 a.m. at St. Matthew's Church in Clare with Rev. Shane Deman officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery, near Clare with Military Honors by the V.F.W. Post 1856 and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. A visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home where there will be a Catholic Daughters of America Rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Pauline is survived by her sons, Kerry Charles Coleman (Vicky) of Fort Dodge; C. Joseph Coleman, Jr. (Sharon) of Fort Dodge; Kevin Gerard Coleman (Lezlie) of Lenox, Massachusetts; 10 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren. Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Florence (Weber) Pflanz; husband, Senator C. Joseph Coleman; her infant son Raymond Joseph Coleman; her sister, Helen Connolly and her husband Richard (Shorty). Polly (Pflanz) Coleman was born on November 30, 1920 in Clinton, IA. Polly was raised and educated in Des Moines, IA. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1939. From 1942 to 1945, Polly served in the United States Navy (Waves); she was stationed in New York, Ohio, and Illinois. Polly worked in radio communications intelligence including code breaking. For 13 years, she worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone, as Director of Operators. She was united in marriage to C. Joseph Coleman on January 16, 1954 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, IA. The couple established their home on a farm north of Clare. Polly was a member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America, Altar Society, American Legion Post, Democratic Women, and she served as president of the Iowa Legislative Ladies League and president of the Iowa Senate Wives. During the years while her husband was serving in the Iowa Senate, Polly was engaged in many charitable and civic activities in various organizations. In addition she actively supported and assisted her husband during the founding of the Iowa Soybean Association and the American Soybean Association. Polly appreciated and loved her many friends among the farm wives in the Clare area. She particularly enjoyed being one of the many farmers' widows who lived independent lives in the countryside after the death of their spouse. Polly will be remembered by family and friends for her gentle and loving nature exhibited her entire life. From her first arrival on the scene to care for a readymade family of boys, who had lost their mother, to her last days with the staff of Trinity Regional Hospital; she retained her gentleness and always sought to first hear and serve their needs. Her life was one of exemplary goodness. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family or to Hospice of Fort Dodge.