Jerome Polanchek

A funeral Mass for Jerome Gordon Polanchek “Gordie”, 78, Dickinson, will be 10:30 a. m. , Thursday, December 22, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Fr. Pat Ojedeji celebrating. Burial will take place in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation for Gordie will be 2:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. , Wednesday, December 21st at Stevenson Funeral Home with a rosary and vigil service being held at 7:00 p. m. Gordie passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, ND surrounded by his wife and children in prayer. Jerome Gordon was born on July 15, 1938 in Belfield, son of Andrew and Anna (Klym) Polanchek of Belfield, ND. Growing up on their family farm, he graduated from Belfield High School in 1957. He continued to work on the farm with his father and later went on to work for Rand Construction in Rapid City until he entered the army in 1963-1965. After serving two years in the army, he worked at International Harvester in Rock Island, Illinois. Gordie married Maria Polanycia and together they were blessed with a daughter. He began working as a mechanic at Lyle’s mobile in Dickinson. In 1970, he married the love of his life, Linda Black. Together they had four daughters and two sons. Gordie took much pride in providing for his family and showed his children a wonderful example of hard work, instilling this quality in each child. For 29 years, he was everybody’s favorite UPS man. He knew every person and what they drove from the Dickinson area, to clear across the other side of Mott. Although he eagerly delivered every package with pride, rain or shine, blizzard or flood, he never hid his great despise for bad roads! A person never had to wonder what he was thinking. Gordie always said what he meant and meant what he said. He and Linda would load up the kids and go camping, boating and fishing many weekends through the summer. Any chance he found, Gordie could be found playing Pinochle with his children, family and friends – often teaching newcomers how to play. Without a doubt, he got a kick out of winning and bidding high! It wasn’t uncommon to find Gordie sitting in his chair with one of his kids or grandkids behind him, combing his hair. One of his specialties was snuggling a wound-up grandchild on his lap until he/she was fast asleep. Gordie had a passion for Harley Davidson Motorcycles, old cars, and making his yearly trip to the Sturgis Bike Rally with Linda behind, hanging on tightly to him. He also enjoyed shooting pool in pool leagues and at home with his family and friends in his basement. Gordie is survived by his wife, Linda; five daughters, Kathy Ann Polanchek of Sudbury, MA, Cheryl (Mike) Lechler of Santa Rosa, CA, Tracy (Shawn) Schaff of Mandan, ND, Tammy (Jason) Larson of Andover, MN, Cathy (Shane) Weber of Taylor, ND; two sons, Michael (Shayla) Polanchek of Wessington Springs, SD, Andrew (Diana) Polanchek, of Bend, OR; eleven grandchildren, Derek, Zachary, Deven, Kaylan, Dylan, Anna, Hailey, Corbin, Alora, Reid, and soon to be born, John Jerome; brothers, Walter Polanchek, Gardner (Marietta) Polanchek both of Henderson, NV; sisters, Vicky (Bruce) Orton, Judy Olheiser both of Dickinson, and Rosemarie (Bill) McLaughlin of Glenwood, NJ. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, Georgie Ann Elken, granddaughter, Angel Lechler and a brother-in-law, Les Olheiser.


Burial Date: December 22, 2016
Church St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Funeral Mass: Thursday: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, ND