Darrell Glen Polzin, age 84 of Embarrass passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on November 19th, 2024. The only child of the late Glen and Alma (Genskow) Polzin he was born on September 2nd, 1940 in New London. He grew up in Marion and graduated from the Marion High School in 1958. Darrell worked at Marion Plywood and Urban Telephone after graduation.

Darrell served 6 honorable years with the Wisconsin Army National Guard 32nd Division and was called up to serve his country at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington during the Berlin Crisis. After returning home Darrell started an amazing 56-year career as an employee of the Four Wheel Drive (FWD) later renamed to Seagrave Fire Apparatus in Clintonville, where he remained a dedicated employee until his passing. He did “retire” from 2012-2015 but was asked to come back to share his expertise in fire truck building and refurbishing which resulted in nine more years of meaningful work. Darrell was well-respected in his field for his expertise on fire apparatus with many of his coworkers and Fire Chiefs from around the country and will be remembered for his matter of fact and direct communications he had with those he worked alongside.

When Darrell was 14, he would meet his future wife Joann Sprenger while out picking nightcrawlers near his home in Marion. Joann was 12 years old and was visiting her Grandparents who were neighbors to Darrell’s family. They would marry in 1961, have four children together and spend the next 63 years together embarking on numerous adventures. Over the years he enjoyed fast pitch softball, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, coaching, and watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in their sporting events. Always sharing his loving “advice” with them which they will carry with them as they travel through their lives. In the most recent years, he looked forward to spending time at their Pelican Lake cottage, fishing the local lakes there and making lasting memories with his family.

Darrell was a well-known resident of the Village of Embarrass for 60 years and could often be seen patrolling through the village streets at dusk to make sure all were tucked in for the night or sitting in his lawn chair in front of the house catching some rays. Darrell faithfully served as the Embarrass Fire Chief for 39 years. He logged a total of 51 years of service to the department; including assisting with many of their softball tournaments over the years. He retired from the fire department in 2018.

Darrell lived a wonderful and very full life and will be remembered for his quick wit, his strong work ethic, his one liner “Darrellisms” and his loyalty to those he loved.

Darrell is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Joann; daughters Terri (David) Schultz and Jody (Mike Wizner) Johnson; sons Michael (Deanna) Polzin and Mark (Dana Moehring) Polzin; grandchildren Alexa (Joshua) Leitner; Uriah (Elizabeth) Schultz; Cassiti (Shane Koeller) Schultz; Nigel, Shay and Jace Schultz; Jessica (Joshua) Heling; Aidan, Jordan and Deacan Wizner; Maxwell and Cale Polzin; Delaney (Trenton) Vollmer; Gabriel, Finnley and Harper Polzin;
Great-Grandchildren Brooklyn, Austin and Camryn Heling; Gunnison, Ivy and Emeri Leitner; sister-in-law Victoria Sprenger; and numerous lifelong friends and relatives.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Robert (Bubba) Sprenger.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to all of those who have impacted Darrell’s life in a positive way over the years. Special thanks to ThedaCare Shawano and Appleton care providers for their excellent care and concern for Darrell during his stay there. Also, thanks to the ThedaCare Hospice team for facilitating Darrell’s last wish of returning home to be surrounded by his loved ones as he passed. Darrell lived life on his own terms, doing it his own way until his last day on Earth.

Darrell’s memorial service will be held Wednesday November 27, 2024 at 11am at the Zion Lutheran Church in Embarrass with Rev. Todd Jerabek officiating. Military honors will be conducted outside of the church following the service by members of the Clintonville American Legion Post #63, VFW Post #664, American Legion Auxiliary Unit #63, and DAV Chapter #53. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday evening from 4pm – 7pm and again on Wednesday morning from 9am until the time of the service. The Eberhardt-Stevenson Funeral Home & Crematory of Clintonville is assisting his family. www.eberhardtstevenson.com