Walter C. Pollex

Walter C. Pollex of Oshkosh passed away peacefully in his home after a battle with heart issues, on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the age of 83.

He was a loving and loved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a respected friend to many. Born August 26, 1933 in the Town of Aurora, Waushara County WI, to William & Ruth (Wilke) Pollex.

He attended Spoehr Grade School, St. John’s Lutheran School, and Berlin High School. He served in the U.S. Army 44th Engineering Construction Battalion in Korea. In later years, he became a member of the American Legion Post 70 of Oshkosh. Upon returning from Korea, he attended and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from UW-Oshkosh in 1961 and a Master’s of Science in Education in 1970. He met his wife and best friend, Betty Strehlow, on an arranged blind date in Oshkosh in 1952, and they were married in Auroraville on June 10, 1956. Walter and Betty raised three children: Anne, Jim, and Rich, all live in Wisconsin.

He taught for 33 years in the Oshkosh School District. Walt taught 8th grade “US History, Geography and English” at Merrill Junior High/Middle School from 1961-1994. Always focusing on his craft, he was named the Oshkosh School District “Middle School Teacher of the Year” for 1993-94. Over the years he coached boys’ football, basketball, and track; known as tough, but successful. Walt loved to play golf, fish, deer hunt, and was a great fan of the Green Bay Packers. His intent was to have a positive impact on students and their families in the community.

For over 20 yrs, he was also a Leader on the church council and as Sunday School Superintendent at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Oshkosh. Later Walter and Betty became members of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Oshkosh, where they currently worship.
After retirement, Walt and Betty spent several years traveling to many parts of the world. His other love was “working the land”, as he was a farmer at heart. He often would say how “blessed he was to have lived such a good life that the good Lord had given” him.
Walt will be dearly missed by his family and all those who knew him as a man of deep faith, with a generous heart, a loyal friend, a good neighbor, and a man who loved to laugh!
Walter was a loving husband to Betty for more than 60 years, a devoted father to Anne Koppelberger, Jim (Tina) and Rich (Holly) Pollex; proud grandfather of Alyssa (Brett) Klug, Ashley, Rachel, Nicole Meghan and Jenna (Jake) Buege; happy great-grandfather to Jameson and Addy Klug. He is further survived by many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and various friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and his four siblings: Alvin, Mary (Doro), Irene (Neulreich), and Bob.

There will be a visitation on Friday, March 17, from 4-7 PM at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home (Westside: 100 Lake Pointe Dr. Oshkosh). A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 18 at 11 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church (338 N. Eagle St. Oshkosh), officiated by Pastor John Seelman, with visitation being held an hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh.

Memorials in Walter’s name are appreciated to Immanuel Lutheran Church.