Shirley Pollman: 1936-2022
Shirley Pollman, 86, of Bridgewater, S.D., passed away on Sept. 30 at the Diamond Care Center in Bridgewater. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Salem MB church of rural Bridgewater. Visitation and viewing will be from 5-7 pm on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the church.
Shirley Jane (Hofer) Pollman was born on Sept. 23, 1936, to Elias J and Justina (Walter) Hofer on a farm near Bridgewater. Shirley accepted Christ as her Savior when she was 10 years old. Upon her confession of faith, she was baptized and became a member of the Salem MB Church, Bridgewater.
Shirley attended country school and graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1954. She continued her education at DWU and then Methodist School of Nursing in Mitchell, S.D., graduating in 1958 with her RN degree.
Shirley married Sam Pollman Jr., on May 2, 1958. They moved to the family farm southwest of Bridgewater where she enjoyed helping Sam on the farm. Sam and Shirley were blessed with four children: Jeffrey, Linda, Cynthia and Kristi.
Shirley dedicated a total of 45 years to her nursing career starting with Dr. Lloyd Lewis at his clinic in downtown Mitchell, and then at the Freeman hospital, with the last 40 years at Rural Medical Clinic in Bridgewater. Her illness with Spinal Meningitis at the age of 11 sparked her interest in nursing. She often said nursing was her mission field and she felt God called her to serve Him by taking care of the sick. She retired from her nursing career in 2003.
Shirley served in her church in many ways. She sang in the church choir and was a member of Ladies Fellowship. She also taught Sunday school and helped with VBS. Prayer was an important part of her life and she read through the Bible several times. Galations 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
Shirley enjoyed baking, sewing, gardening, camping and traveling with her husband. She also loved spending time with her family and friends.
Shirley moved to Grand View Assisted Living on Sept. 30, 2015. She enjoyed participating in activities, playing board games and visiting with other residents. Shirley passed away peacefully on Sept. 30, 2022, at the age of 86.
Shirley was welcomed in heaven by her husband, Sam; parents Elias J. and Justina Hofer, parents-in-law Sam and Bertha Pollman; brother Calvin Hofer, sister Sharon Hofer, brother-in-law Don Lottman, sister-in-law Janice Hofer, sister-in-law Bertha Becker, brothers-in-law Willard Becker, Dale Fincher, and Joseph Pollman.
Those looking forward to joining her in heaven include son Jeffrey (Hermina) of Bridgewater; three daughters: Linda (John) Claggett of Mitchell, Cynthia (Ralph) Fisher of San Antonio, Texas and Kristi (Merlin) Wollmann of Bridgewater; 11 grandchildren: Roselyn (Dave) Kelly, Michelle Weideman, Geoffrey (Nadine) Pollman, Richard (Stacey) Glanzer; Kathy (Anthony) Opdahl; Amanda (Chris) Koch, Tiffany Fisher, Sawyer, Sierra (fiancé Brett Olson), Aaron and Holden Wollmann; and 16 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister JoAnne (Lee) Goldammer, brother Vernon (Deb) Hofer, sisters-in-law Cindy Hofer, Bernice Fincher, Alice Pollman, Beverly (Byron) Schulke, and brother-in-law Kip Steinburg, along with many nieces and nephews.
