Dr Bruce A. Polender

Dr. Bruce A. Polender, 88, of Onalaska, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, and joined his Savior in heaven. He was born to Albert and Florence Polender on July 18, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois. Bruce married Margaret Ann Rumball in 1962. She preceded him in death in 2001. In 2002, he married Alice Driscoll. He graduated from North Park Academy in Chicago, from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and from North Western University School of Medicine in 1963. His internship and internal medicine residency occurred in the Army at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Lewis, Washington. Bruce then spent 3 years in Germany at the 97th General Hospital. After his Army service, he completed an allergy and clinical immunology fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Bruce joined the staff of Gundersen Clinic in 1972 as the first Allergist at Gundersen. Bruce served as the chairman of the Personnel Committee during a time of rapid growth in the clinic. He also served as the president of the Society of Internal Medicine. Bruce achieved specialty board certification in internal medicine, allergy and clinical immunology, and nursing home medical director and geriatric medicine. For many years, he was the Medical Director of Bethany Riverside Nursing Home. Bruce was also elected as Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Along with Doctors Without Borders, he participated in a Christian Medical Society Mission trip to the Dominican Republic after one of their hurricanes. In 2017, Bruce retired from Gundersen Lutheran after 45 years of dedication. He also travelled to the Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany, Israel, France, Portugal, and took many trips to Hawaii, and to Canada to visit family. Known to be kind-hearted and funny, Bruce had a way of putting patients to ease and was truly an excellent doctor. He was a member of Bethany Ev. Free Church, and most recently a member of the Olivet Lutheran Church. Bruce was a proud grandpa to his grandchildren and always made time to play sports like tennis and golf with them, as well as teaching them how to swim and dive in the pool. He will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him. Bruce is survived by his wife, Alice; sons, Russell (Mihaela), and their children, Brice (Peyton) and Connor Polender; Stephen Polender; Scott (Jodi), and their children, Zoe, Piper, and Tabitha Polender; and Robert (Allison), and their children, Lily and Bryn Polender; step-daughters, Jennifer (Daniel), and their children, Colin, Brendan, and Karsen Fitzpatrick; and Tammy (John), and their children, Amelia, Maisy, Miley, and Alex Balsley; sister, Vickey (Steve) Ronan; many Canadian relatives, specifically nieces, Robin Goudy and Ruth Goudy-Ghey, as well as many other nieces, nephews, other family members, and close friends. Bruce is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Carol Girard; brother, Westley (Phyllis) Polender.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to Olivet Lutheran Church of La Crosse, the Gundersen Medical Foundation, or The Salvation Army. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 11:30 A.M. at Olivet Lutheran Church, 2100 Bainbridge Street, in La Crosse. Pastor Jonathan Unverzagt will officiate. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation from 9:00 A.M. until the start of the service. Burial will take place Woodlawn North Cemetery, 5111 CTH-B, in Medary. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be given at www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com