Dolores Joan (Wagner) Polifka

Dolores Joan (Wagner) Polifka of Hawthorn Woods, 88, formerly of Wheeling, passed away Thursday, November 17, 2022.  She was born on October 17, 1934 in Chicago to Paul and Adeline (Malpede) Wagner.

Dolores was a graduate of Austin High School in Chicago. Dolores’ life’s work included caring for her family and working as a housekeeper for nearly 30 years. She was the mother of four, grandmother of eleven, great-grandmother of thirteen and had many nieces and nephews, claiming each person was very special. Despite her large family she always made time for you if you were to stop by.

Dolores and her husband Frank were married for 59 years before he passed in 2013. In retirement, Dolores enjoyed traveling around the country with Frank in their RV. They joined various camping clubs and made many friends along the way.

Her gatherings of family and friends were always an event! Good food, good company and good times, to be had by all, was her only wish. In her spare time she enjoyed cooking, socializing with friends, flower gardening and aquanastics.

Dolores was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Wauconda and a past member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Prospect Heights. She was faithful in her daily prayers for her loved ones.

Her family is very thankful for her caregiver, Gladys, who provided her with compassionate care, comfort and friendship throughout her final journey.

Survivors include her children, Kenneth (Diane) Polifka, Debra (Carter) Morrett, Keith (Joanne) Polifka and Dawn (Timothy) Fella; grandchildren, Garrett (Jenica) Polifka, Carley (Bradly) Claussen, Caleb (Shanna) Morrett, Marika (Jason) Rodrigues, Hannah (Jesse) Scott, Mitchell Polifka, Cameron Polifka, Ryan Ramirez, Rachel Ramirez, Cassidy (Dillon) Blahnik and Shane Fella; great-grandchildren, Evie and Kaiah, Wyatt, Jaida, Julian, Niklaus and Lennon, Mason and Elijah, Rembrandt, Olive and David, Leelen; brothers, Paul (Carol) Wagner, Larry Wagner and many nieces and nephews.

Dolores was preceded in death by her husband Frank, her sister and brother-in-law Rita and Phil Bonanno, her sister-in-law Myra Dickens and her parents.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 26 from 10 am until the time of the service at 12noon at Messiah Lutheran Church, 25225 W. Invanhoe Road, Wauconda, IL 60084.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church or one of her favorite charities; Northern Illinois Food Bank at https://solvehungertoday.org/ or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/