Gene J. Pollmann

Gene J. Pollmann, 93, of Ames, Iowa, passed away on November 29th, 2025.
Gene was born December 23, 1931 to Joseph and Ellen (Larson) Pollmann in Bridgewater, South Dakota. Gene graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1949. He was active in all high school sports, music, and choir and as a senior, voted homecoming king.
He traveled across the US, working to build homes in Montana before being drafted into the Korean War serving from 1953-1954.
After his service, Gene went on to graduate from South Dakota State University earning his bachelor degree in Civil Engineering. His career led him to Ames, Iowa where he worked at the Iowa Department of Transportation (fka: Iowa Highway Commission) until retirement in 1996. It was in Ames, at the DOT where he met his loving wife, Ardith Stolee, of Garden City, Iowa. They married in 1960 at Stavanger Lutheran Church in Garden City, and raised four children in Ames.
Gene was a charter member of St Andrew's Lutheran Church. He was actively involved in the church including the choir, and provided a variety of contributions to support and enhance the church. He was a member of the Ames Golden K Kiwanis joining in 1997 and at the beginning of every year he was out selling Pancake Day tickets to support Kiwanis. He belonged to the DOT bowling and golf leagues, and participated in Iowa Senior Games. You would often see Gene riding his bike to work daily, including coming home for lunch back and forth across the Fellows school playground.
Gene was also an avid gardener and skilled carpenter. He built many small additions to the family home and also was commissioned to create a cross for the church that still resides in the outdoor garden columbarium. He also was an integral part in the creation of the Medicine Wheel at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames, a project built by volunteers from the Ames area Kiwanis Club members.
After retiring from the DOT in 1996, Gene continued his love for gardening, community outreach and stayed active with golf and bowling. He attended many of his grandchildren's events ranging from sporting events to concerts and plays. Gene also was an avid Iowa State fan holding season tickets to the ISU women's basketball games for many seasons. Gene was a benevolent caregiver to Ardith in their later years until her passing in 2019.
Gene found companionship with Betty Beard in his remaining years. Betty played a very special part in his life. They enjoyed playing cribbage, attending church together, watching Jeopardy, playing bingo, and outings to get ice cream. Betty brought Gene back to life, with love, joy, and laughter. She will forever be a special part of our family.
Gene modeled and encouraged his children and grandchildren in the values of faith in God, discipline, education, physical fitness, and health. He challenged each of us to reach our full potential.
Gene will be deeply missed by his four children Lori (Bryan) Kies of Keokuk, IA, Stacy (Gary) Lang of Clive, IA, Mark (Shannon) Pollmann of Des Moines, IA, and Mike (Heidi) Pollmann of Des Moines, IA; and seven grandchildren, Mackenzie and Spencer Lang, Chelsea and Kelby Kies, and Lukas, Levie, and Adeline Pollmann. Brother James Pollmann of Del Rapids, SD, and sister Marilyn Saunders of Hamilton, MT, along with many nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Ardith Pollmann (wife), their infant son, and Dylan Kies (grandson), and Robert Pollmann (brother).
Celebration of life services will be held Friday, December 12th at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 209 Colorado Ave, Ames, IA 50014. A visitation will be held at 10am and the service will follow at 10:30am in the sanctuary.
In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to Suncrest Hospice of Ames, or the Make- A- Wish Foundation.