Pauline Roberta (Davis) Geiss

Pauline Roberta Davis Geiss (Polly) went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, September 10th 2021 at Morningstar Care Home in Ottawa, Kansas.

Polly, along with her twin brother, Paul, was born on January 4 , 1923, at home on the family farm Southeast of Williamsburg, KS.   She was the daughter of John Samuel and Mable (McDowell) Davis.

Polly attended a one room country school, “Bloody 96” and graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1942.  After High School she moved to Ottawa and worked as a seamstress at Mode O’day and HD Lee.  She loved to Roller Skate and in the summer of 1946 met Arthur Geiss at the local skating rink.  They skated together often but did not start dating until October or November of that year.  They were married on May 16, 1948.

The wedding took place at the Davis Family Farm.  Polly’s twin brother, Paul, and his wife, Pauline, stood up with them.  They were married 66 years.  Art proceeded Polly in death in 2015.

Polly loved being a mother and homemaker.  Her family was everything to her.  She and Art had four sons and one daughter together.   Art also had a daughter from a short marriage that ended as soon as he came back from WW II.

Polly was a hard worker and did babysitting and house cleaning from time to time to save up money to buy things for the house.  Having 4 boys in 6 years did not leave her much spare time.  Their daughter, Carol, was born 7 years after the boys and was the delight of her parents.  Polly thought every blonde model in a magazine looked just like Carol!

Art and Polly were active members in church.  They were the youth leaders at the Presbyterian church when the boys were in school.  In the early 70’s Art and Polly joined Ottawa Bible Church.  Polly was known for her constant smile and ready hugs!  She sang in the choir (back in the day!).  Music was a constant love of hers.  She and her twin were known for their duets and were asked to sing at funerals now and again in their youth.  They were a constant presence at church until they could no longer drive.

Polly loved having her family over for dinner on any and all holidays!  Christmas breakfast was a family tradition!  For birthdays she would make the birthday persons favorite dishes and, many times, her famous Red Velvet Cake.  With five kids and spouses and grandchildren it could be a house full, but she loved it!  No one could help clean up, she and Art would do that when everyone left.  She wanted to enjoy everyone’s company and maybe play games; canasta or dominoes or pitch.

Polly is survived by all five of her children; David and wife, Tammy, Ottawa; Larry and wife, Janie, Bonita Springs, Florida; Steve and wife, Sharon, Ottawa; Gary and wife, Sondra, Olathe; and Carol Zuk, Ottawa.  Eight Grandchildren: John Geiss (Sarah), Ottawa, Jan Schoenberger (Brent) Emporia; Natasha Moser (Matthew) Dallas, Texas, Roland Jaworski (Liza) Ottawa; Jessica Budke (Brett) Olathe; Matthew Minnick (Lindsey)  Lenexa, Ethan Zuk, Ottawa and John Fritz, Ottawa.  She also had 8 great grand children and numerous nieces and nephews.

Polly was proceeded in death by her husband of 66 years, Arthur Geiss, her parents, Samuel and Mable Davis; four brothers, Warren, Max, Kenneth and Paul Davis, three sisters, Erma Davis, Betty Swenson and Helen Shofner; and a stepdaughter, Priscilla Fritz.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Pauline Roberta (Davis) Geiss, please visit our floral store.