Rev. Carl Delmar Polstra

Carl D. Polstra was the fourth child of five born to Edward Aaron and Della Kolsbeck Polstra on April 19, 1917 in the WEA Plains area of Shadeland, Indiana. He was raised on the family farm in Lafayette, Indiana. Carl’s education began at the Hebron School and Klondike High School. He attended Purdue University, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy in 1940. Drafted into the Air Force shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Carl served his country during World War II as a chaplain until December 1943. Carl married Eloise Farley Capps on June 4, 1949. They were parents to three children: Jay Robert, Linda Mae, and Bruce Edward. Carl began a second career in 1961 when he graduated from the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana. He served several Indiana churches before relocating to Kings, Illinois in 1977. Carl was ordained as a Minister of the Presbyterian Church on July 13, 1980. He served the Lord in this capacity for 32 years. Carl was also an avid gardener, frequently sharing his surplus produce with family, friends, and others in need. He volunteered at the Hub City Senior Center, was chaplain at the Swedish American Hospital for three years, and ministered to the incarcerated at Oregon, Illinois. Carl and his wife Eloise started the food pantry in conjunction with the Faith Lutheran Church in Rochelle, Illinois, which is still active today. Carl was a 25-year member of the Rochelle Golden K’s. He served as president, lieutenant governor, and secretary of that organization, attending the Kiwanis International Convention for 10 years in a row. Carl was awarded their highest honor, the George F. Hixon Fellow Award, in August 1998. During the 2003-2004 year, Kiwanis International recognized Carl as an individual showing the dedication, commitment, and talent necessary to serve the children of the world. Carl spent his life serving people and volunteering, and the undertaking closest to his heart was the Ogle County Hospice. Carl and Eloise strongly believed in the ability to die with dignity, and together they worked to make this a reality for Ogle County residents. Eloise provided nursing services while Carl provided spiritual guidance. They helped to open Serenity Home in Oregon, Illinois, where Eloise, his wife of 60 years, was comforted on her way to Heaven. Carl is survived by one sister, Edna Polstra Blue of West Lafayette, Indiana, 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and a multitude of friends. His parents, his wife Eloise, his children, two brothers, one sister, and one great-granddaughter precede him in death. Funeral Services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Friday September 25th 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church Rochelle with Rev. Doug Forsberg officiating . Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. till the time of service. Graveside service will be held Saturday September 26th at 2:00 p.m. at Rest Haven Memorial Cemetery Lafayette, IN. www.beveragelyonsfamilyfh.com