Michael E. Pollnow - Obituary

On Wednesday, December 26, 2018, Michael E. Pollnow, loving husband, and father of three sons and one daughter, passed away at age 66. Mike was born on September 2, 1952, in Oberlin, KS. He graduated from Decatur County High School in 1970 and attended college at Colby College and Kansas State University where he majored in Animal Science. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Colorado National Guard where he rose to the rank of Sergeant. After the Army, Mike served 26 years in various roles in farmers' cooperatives before retiring from the Frenchman Valley Cooperative in 2014. He was General Manager and President/CEO for a total of 16 years of service at the Farmer's Elevator Company in Chappell, NE. After retiring, Mike enjoyed driving his Peterbilt semi-truck as an owner/operator of M.P. Logistics, LLC.

Mike loved Jesus Christ and was involved in various ministries with his wife, Sue, and his church congregation, McCook Evangelical Free Church, serving on the security team, as an usher, and as an officer for the Men's Retreat for several years. Additionally, he was a member of NRA, Gideons International, the American Legion, and held several officer positions in various other organizations. He enjoyed classic cars as well as restoring semi-trucks and tractors. He was an avid collector of Terry Redlin paintings, loved listening to many kinds of music, and enjoyed watching war documentaries or western movies. He was most at home when outdoors planting trees, working in his shop, landscaping and maintaining his property, and helping Sue with the horses. He was awarded the "Nebraska Outstanding Tree Planter" award from the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts in 2001. He loved remodeling homes and had a knack for interior design. He taught the value of hard work to his kids and grandkids and they enjoyed playing a part in some of his many projects.

Mike was a survivor. He was resilient despite multiple occasions where his body tried to give up on him. He endured Lymphoma in his late 20s between 1979-1981. In 2003, he had a double heart bypass and was given only five years to live. Heart ablation surgery was performed in 2015 to correct an arrythmia. In each of these instances, Mike exceeded the odds. He once quipped, "It looks like God still has a plan for me!" Following his recovery from each of these setbacks, you could find him in his shop, yard, or truck, working harder and longer than men half his age.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Vollie, mother, Elizabeth Susan (Sue), and his father-in-law, Elton Lanka.

Mike is survived by his wife Sue (Lanka) Pollnow, his son Brandon (Kyla) Pollnow, step-daughter Samantha (Chris) Ewing, step-son Owen (Kim) Johnson, and step-son Luke (Maggie) Johnson. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Marian Lanka; his sisters Linda Pollnow, Carol (DeWayne) Knudson, and Janet (Steve) Myers; sisters-in-law Diane (Lee) Wonch and Vanessa (George) Grimsley; and brother-in-law Rex (Beth) Lanka; and their families. His beloved grandchildren are Bryce, Madison, Elizabeth, Silas, Emory, Elias, Owen Harold, and Grace. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.

A service will be held on Monday, December 31, 2018, at the McCook Evangelical Free Church at 1 PM followed by a procession to the Oberlin Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church Monday, December 31, 2018 from 11:30 P.M. until service time. Memorials are suggested to Gideons International in lieu of flowers may be sent to 37161 Old Hwy 17, Culbertson, NE 69024.