Polly was a gifted dancer and baton twirler in her youth, earning the title of Miss Majorette of Kansas twice and was runner-up to Princess Majorette of America. Polly went on to twirl for Kansas State University.
She married Frank E. Landis, Jr. in 1972 and they remained married until his passing in 2022. Polly’s enormous heart and compassion for others was demonstrated during two decades she spent at Lincoln General Hospital as an Auxilian and Lifestyles volunteer. She had a remarkable ability to connect with children and adored spending time with her nieces and nephews. Despite the struggles of life, Polly maintained her gentle nature and sense of humor and found joy in the company of others.
Polly was a member of Vine Congregational Church, where she found close friends.
Her surviving family members include her brother, Mike O’Neal, from Maryville, MO, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Patty O’Neal from Sun City, AZ, Helen “Jinx” (Tom) Dawson from Lincoln, Yukiko Yukawa from Toyoko, Margaret Landis from Grand Island, and David (Melodee) Landis from Lincoln, along with ten nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Frank, brother Marvin “Pat” O’Neal, and brother-in-law Bill Landis.
A memorial service for Polly will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at First Plymouth Chapel, 2000 D Street. There will be a private interment of her ashes in Greenwood Cemetery, Seward, NE.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Southeast Community College Frank and Ruth Mary Landis Memorial Fund or Bryan Medical Center West ECT Unit.