Phyllis Virginia Polte (Krone)

Phyllis Virginia Polte (Krone) 

December 1, 1937 – May 21, 2025 

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother 

Phyllis Virginia Polte (Krone), cherished wife of Marvin Polte, passed away peacefully at Allure of Walnut on May 21, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Born at her home in Greenville Township, near New Bedford, IL on December 1, 1937, Phyllis lived a life defined by love, strength, and unwavering devotion to her family.

Phyllis and Marvin’s love story began in the most charming of ways. Marvin, an eager young square dancer, would participate in local dances at Mt Morency Township Hall. Phyllis was visiting Marvin’s township hall for a Saturday night dance with a group from Hume Township. Marvin spotted her across the room and turned to his cousin and said, “That’s the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. I’d like to marry her someday.” A few years later, Marvin recognized her again on the school bus to Rock Falls High school. He was a junior and she was a freshman. The rest was history. They married on February 5, 1955 and were blessed with 70 years of marriage—a rare and inspiring testament to lifelong love.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her loving parents, Viva (Stier) Krone and Wilbur Cecil Krone; her brothers Wilbur, Weston, Norman, and Marvin; and her son-in-law Scotte Hodel.

She was the devoted mother of seven children: DuWayne (Laurie) Polte, Kate (Brian) Hall, Viva Hodel, Greg (Shelly) Polte, Rodney (Doug) Napoltes, Todd (Mary) Polte, and Amy (Rob) Allen. She was the proud grandmother of thirteen: Kayla, Christina, Kelsey, Jessica, Adam, Ethan, Robert, Erin, Jeffrey, Jordan, Greg, Sydney, and Ryan. Her love continued through sixteen great-grandchildren: Adlai, Max, Heather, Levi, Liam, Viva, Amelia, Madie, Delilah, Emmett, Riley, Quinn, Evelyn, Maggie, Brian, and Michelle. Phyllis was a loving aunt to a plethora of nieces and nephews. She enjoyed keeping in contact with several near and distant relatives and had a deep interest in genealogy. She maintained many lifelong friendships, leaving behind very special childhood friends Lavonne Helms and Shirley Downey. Phyllis was a long-time active member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Manlius and a founding member of the Red Covered Bridge Quilter’s Guild.

Phyllis was the heart and soul of her family—steadfast, nurturing, and full of quiet wisdom. Her home was a sanctuary, her arms always open, and her heart endlessly giving. She taught by example, showing what it meant to love unconditionally and live with grace.

Her legacy is one of enduring love, faith, and family. Though she is no longer physically with us, her spirit lives on in the lives she touched and the family she so dearly loved.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manlius. Followed by light refreshments and a time of fellowship in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers memorials will be directed to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Manlius or Allure of Walnut, IL.