Richard Polley

Richard Polley, 94, passed on January 17, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Albert Lea, MN into the hands of his Lord and Savior. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN. Steve Piper will be officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  

Richard was born in Maysville, Kentucky on August 17, 1931 to Wilburn and Pearly Polley. Richard grew up in Northern Kentucky and graduated from Bracken County High school where he was a star basketball player. He married his high school sweetheart Jean Clark on September 9, 1950. In 1950 he went to work for Miami Margarine in Cincinnati Ohio. In 1966 he was transferred to the Albert Lea facility. After moving to Albert Lea, he attended Mankato State and received an Associate Degree of Business. In 1986 he worked for Streaters until he retired in 1996.

Richard was a member of First Presbyterian church in Albert Lea. serving as a Deacon and Elder and served as a member of the planning committee for 20 years as well as numerous other committees.

Richard was very involved in Day Breakers Kiwanis where he served as president and secretary and worked with multiple committees within the Kiwanis group.

Richard and Jean enjoyed numerous traveling adventures as well as yearly trips to Kentucky to visit with both of their families.

He is preceded in death by Jean, his wife of 73 years, mother and father, 4 brothers and 2 sisters.

Richard is survived by his daughters, Carol Sue (David) Farmer, Monica Jensen, Teri (Brian) Demmer, Kimberly (Todd) Dilling, and son Richard (Debbie) Polley, 14 Grandchildren, 29 Great Grandchildren, and 7 Great Great Grandchildren.

He was loved by all and will be greatly missed by family and the many friends he has made.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for the care, respect and love they showed our dad. We would also like to thank the nurses and staff at Good Samaritan Bancroft, where he lived for the past year and the staff and Good Samaritan who tended and took care of him during his stay for physical therapy times there.

In lieu of flowers Donations to First Presbyterian Church or Day Breakers Kiwanis would be appreciated.

Family of Richard Polley