Pauline Wischmann

“Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death.” - Auntie Mame, by Patrick Dennis Our Aunt Polly did not starve. This is not going to be one of those sad obits. Aunt Polly did not live her life that way and we sure as heck are not going to treat her passing that way. We will miss her terribly but let us celebrate a life well lived. Her father called her a child of the prairie but Aunt Polly has been around the world 2 times, she traveled to 6 of the 7 continents, she didn’t go to Antarctica because if she wanted to see snow and ice she could spend January in Montana. Polly was a nurse and teacher by profession, a military veteran and historian by choice. Many people have read and commented on her writings, “Polly’s Column” focused on the history of the area in the Circle Banner for the last 30+ years. She also compiled a book of lists for McCone County, creating a record of schools, graduations, cemeteries’, towns, residents, and various other facts. I will tell you that some of her best stories are ones that will not be printed, but damn they are funny! Polly loved to play cards, and the board game “Scrabble” ™. Many of us spent hot summer days on the prairie looking for ant hills because that is where the beads, sharks teeth, and seashell bits would end up. OK here is the genealogy section: Polly was born Pauline Wischmann, October 23, 1921 to Henry and Paulina Wischmann, in Circle, Montana. She was the third child after her brother Hans and sister Ann. Polly never married and never had any children of her own, all of her nieces and nephews and their children were her kids. Hans and Bonnie Wischmann begat Diane (Ann Mary) Sands, Missoula, MT, Teddi (Richard) McConnell, Billings, MT, Susan (Steve) Wischmann-Johnson, Tucson, AZ, Sally (Wayne) Stiffler, Fairfield, MT, and Wayne (Patricia) Wischmann, Tualatin, OR. Ann and Barton Hahn begat Henry (Pat) Hahn of Queensland, Australia; Edwin (Mamie) Hahn of Sun City West, AZ; Allan (Luud) Hahn of Zoetermeer, Netherlands; and Maryann Hahn of Belgrade, MT. There are many Grand nieces and nephews and Great Grand nieces and nephews. Polly graduated from Circle High in 1940, attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing, Rochester, Minn. received her degree in Nursing in 1944. She enlisted in the military in 1945 after her brother, Hans, was wounded in the European Theater and achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Polly was assigned in the Pacific Theater, this was the beginning of her love of travel. Among the hospitals she worked at were the Saint Mary’s Hospital (Mayo Clinic) in Rochester, MN, and Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY (where she took care of some Yankee players and was given some tickets to a World Series game, she never used the tickets, I know because Wayne has them.) She earned a BA in Economics and Sociology from Montana State University in Missoula in 1948 and, also earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver in 1951. She taught nursing at the University of Guam, (so she could more easily travel into Asia) and helped start the nursing program at Miles Community College. She ended her professional nursing career in her home town as the county health nurse. Memorials can be sent to the Circle Museum, the “Women in Military Service for America Memorial” in Washington D.C. or to the charity of your choice. Our thanks and appreciation goes to the Eastern Montana Veterans Nursing Home staff and the Hospice Staff, in Glendive, Montana. Pauline Wischmann left this world on September 28th, 2015. Family members are planning a graveside ceremony and celebration of her life on May 26th, 2016 in the Veterans section of the Riverview Cemetery in Circle, Montana.Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Pauline Wischmann

October 23, 1921 - September 28, 2015

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Pauline Wischmann

October 23, 1921 - September 28, 2015

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support