Pauline (Polly) Retzloff

Polly, as her friends knew her, died peacefully in her sleep on June 2, 2009, at her home in Startup, Washington. She was 96 years and 7 months old. Polly was still very active making quilt tops and cooking up until about 2 weeks before her death.

Born in North Dakota, she moved to Washington in her early 20s. She lived for several years in Port Orchard, working for the court house lunch room as a cook. In 1978, she moved to Startup. She would spend summers at the Willows Resort in Moses Lake, fishing and canning local fruit. Polly was a member of the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, where she was actively involved making hundreds of quilts and school bags for the Lutheran Relief. She also helped with bake sales and crafts. She loved to cook and was always giving baked goods to everybody. In 2007, she was honored by Foss Village as one of the seven outstanding seniors in the Seattle area for contributions to the community. 

Polly was preceded in death by her husbands Paul Buford and Ed Retzloff. She is survived by nephew Tim (Ginger) Russ of Kirkland, Wash., sisters Martha Lang and Jean Kringen of Minot, N.D., as well as several other nieces and nephews who live in North Dakota, Montana and Arizona.

A celebration of life service will be held on June 20, 2009, at 10:30 a.m., with lunch to follow at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 36811 143rd St. S.E., Startup, Wash. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Shepherd of the valley church.

Purdy and Kerr funeral home are in charge of the funeral arrangements.