Pauline "Polly" A. Minnaert

Pauline (“Polly”) Alice Williams Minnaert, age 95, took the express elevator to Heaven on June 7, 2025.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at St. Malachy Catholic Church, Geneseo, IL.  Father Daniel Gifford will officiate.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo.  A Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel, with the visitation following from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family of Pauline or St. Malachy Catholic Church, 595 E. Ogden Avenue, Geneseo, IL, 61254.

Pauline was born on December 30, 1929, in Geneseo, Illinois, the daughter of Frank Paul Williams and May Caroline Burgeson. She attended schools in Geneseo, Illinois, and was a lifelong resident.  She married Donald Michael Minnaert on May 24, 1948, and together they celebrated 73 years of marriage before Donald passed away in 2021.  After raising her lively crew of nine children, Pauline brought her warmth and wit to the Geneseo school district and kept local democracy running smoothly as an election judge for many years. She was a devoted bookworm and music lover, always ready with a new novel or a favorite tune.

She is survived by her sister, Dawn Wigant of Geneseo, IL; her children, David (Pat) Minnaert of Geneseo, IL, Marcia (Robert) Brooks of San Francisco, CA, Debbie (Alfred) Adams of Colona, IL, Pete (Amy) Minnaert of Geneseo, IL, Trudy Minnaert of Bowling Green, OH, Dominic Minnaert of Geneseo, IL, and Willy (Megan) Minnaert of Geneseo, IL, and sister-in-law, Joyce Wisdom of Erie, IL.  She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild with another on the way.

In addition to her husband, Donald, she was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Virginia; son, Donte; and grandsons, Michael Minnaert and Jace Siebe.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the amazing, dedicated workers at the Long-Term Care Unit at Hammond Henry Hospital and the Compassus Care team.