Marta Polakowski

Marta Polakowski (nee Scherff), 71, of Rockton, IL, died peacefully at her home on Saturday morning, October 28, 2023, due to complications of heart failure and Lewy Body Dementia.

She was born to Richard (Dick) and Mary Scherff, on February 17, 1952, in Madison, Wisconsin. Marta graduated from Williams Bay HS in 1970 and received a BA in Education from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh in 1974.

She married James (Jim) Polakowski in 1981, and they lived together in Williams Bay, WI, for 2 years before relocating to Rockton, IL. Marta is survived by her husband, Jim, and two sons, Brian (Jenny) of Springfield, VA, and Tim (Nick Pfleghaar) of Perrysburg, OH. She is also survived by her four granddaughters--Tessa, Grace, Gretchen, and Paige. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Roger Scherff.

Known for her compassion and service to others which she learned from her parents, Marta touched so many lives. Her calling in life was being a teacher where she worked for many years in Williams Bay, Shirland, and Rockton until retirement in 2009. She also taught swim lessons for 28 consecutive summers with the Water Safety Patrol in Geneva Lake and then numerous swimming pools across northern IL. Known as "Mrs P" by most of her students, she was also involved in coaching, refereeing, and supervising numerous sports and clubs. Following retirement from teaching, she pursued her passion for making floral arrangements as a volunteer floral designer at Broadway Florist and then through making holiday wreaths at Williams Tree Farm. Marta’s ultimate dream was to help decorate floats for the Rose Bowl Parade, which she did in 2017 and it was everything she hoped it would be. She was always involved in the community by volunteering with many organizations like Rockton School District PTO, Rockton Youth Association, Rockton Food Pantry, Rockton Library Board, Hoo Haven, the Habitat for Humanity Restore, and many other charities over the years.

Many will remember Marta for her kindness and compassion as well as her sense of humor, quick wit, and love for laughter. Most will equally remember that Marta was also opinionated--unafraid to ‘tell it like it is,’ and you always knew where she stood on a topic. Marta had a huge heart for the underdogs in life and did what she could to help them, which often involved many quiet, generous gifts from her heart and her wallet. Marta was unafraid of the difficult topics in life, which made her "the best health teacher ever," a role model and inspiration for so many going through AA and addiction struggles, and the friend that offered a listening ear, comfort, and wisdom through difficult times.

Marta was incredibly proud of her family, and leaves nothing behind but wonderful memories. She loved camping with her family. Jim and Marta also loved traveling, visiting almost all 50 states and a few foreign countries, plus regular visits to see their grandkids in Ohio and DC. She became a dog person later in life and loved her pups Cody and Max, her grandpups Dexter and Ellen, plus any other dog she saw out and about.

A memorial gathering/open house will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 1p-4p, at the Rockton American Legion, 221 W Main St, Rockton, IL 61072, with words from the family being given around 2:30p. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to be made to her son Tim's nonprofit, Monarch Grief Center in Perrysburg, OH, and if you have a dog, please give your pup an extra treat and a hug for Marta.