Candy Polka

Mrs. Candy Polka of Grafton passed away early Thursday morning, Jan. 9, 2025, at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Ozaukee Campus in Mequon. She was 69 years old.

Candy was born in St. Paul, Minn., on Aug. 14, 1955, to Charles and Shirley (nee Franzmeier) Matson.

She attended local schools and graduated from Sibley High School in West St. Paul, Class of 1973.

Always interested in sewing and design, Candy went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stout in pursuit of a degree in clothing, textiles and design, which she earned in 1977.

While at Stout, Candy met David Polka. They would be united in marriage on June 18, 1977, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minn. The couple moved to Grafton shortly afterwards and began their family.

Mrs. Polka worked at several retail clothing stores and was an assistant on the design team at Jack Winter Inc., a women’s clothing manufacturer in Milwaukee. Her passion for sewing and design led her to a position as a production assistant at Country Quilts in Cedarburg. She later opened her own business, Heritage Designs, and specialized in designing children’s clothing and bridal alterations.

Candy also served as the costume coordinator for the Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Theater Department for 21 years.

Candy was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church in Grafton, where she was a communion assistant and an altar linen volunteer.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed going to theater productions, traveling with her family and taking walks and bike rides with her husband.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Dave of Grafton, their daughter Korey Gierach of Port Washington and her beloved grandsons Graham and Kole.

Candy is further survived by sisters Pam (Dave) Houg of Chaska, Minn., and Sandy (Mark) Schellinger of Eagan, Minn., as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, other family members and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Shirley Matson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church, 715 Sixth Ave., Grafton. Pastor Chris Thomas will preside. Candy will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery following the service. The family will greet visitors at the church on Saturday, Jan.18, from 9:30 a.m. until services at 11 a.m.

Memorials are suggested to the National Alopecia-Areata Foundation (https://www.naaf.org/) in Candy’s name in honor of her grandson Graham.

Eernisse Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.