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Edward L. Polley, 91, of Manhattan died January 3, at Mercy Regional Medical Center with his loved ones by his side.

He was born on Dec. 25, 1920 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the son of Amos and Signa (Sampson) Polley. He was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Dick, Delman, Amos and Albert.

Ed proudly served in World War II and was stationed at Thule Air Base in Greenland.

He worked in greenhouses in early life; and later worked with heavy equipment in South Dakota and Kansas. He met and married Mildred Linhart in Lake Andes, South Dakota, and lived in Lawrence, Kansas where Edward worked on the Kansas Turnpike. He was later transferred to work on the Tuttle Creek Dam near Manhattan.

Ed maintained his interest in plants and in Lawrence he met a KU professor who raised orchids. Ed became fascinated with the orchids and eventually built a greenhouse in their backyard. That hobby grew to over 500 orchid plants.

In 1963, Ed and Mildred opened Polley Florist, a retail flower shop in Blue Hills Shopping Center, and later relocated to a building at 3rd and Humboldt.

The Polleys purchased acreage near Manhattan where they raised three children, Barbara, Edward and Robert.  He and the children took interest in the county 4-H programs raising garden produce and animals for fair judging. Among their many projects, Robert (Bob) and his dad took special interest in bee culture and kept several bee hives, as well as milk cows. Ed worked with his son "Eddie" with swine projects which captured champion awards, as well as cattle. He assisted Barbara with her horse projects and cattle.  He helped teach all the children the value of work, time and money, and values. 

After Edward and Mildred divorced, he later began working for Bayer Construction and continued until he retired.

Ed loved to hunt and the out of doors, and his pet German Shorthair dog.

Ed was a Charter Member of St. Thomas More Parish, a Life Member of the St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus 8488, and a Member of the Msgr. Luckey Assembly 0288.  He enjoyed assisting at the monthly and Mother's Day breakfast events until his major health issues slowed him down.

Surviving are his children, Barbara Cunningham, Edward Polley, and Robert Polley; grandchildren Amanda Rogers, Shawn Warren, Madison Polley, and Tyler Farina; and 2 great-grandchildren Victoria and Isabelle Rogers. 

Visitation will be Friday, January 6, at the Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home beginning at 4:30 pm, with a Rosary Service following at 5:30 pm.  Funeral services will be Saturday, January 7, at 10:00 am at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

Interment will be at later date at the Kansas Veteran's Cemetery at Ft. Riley.