Sandra J. Polivka

Sandra J. “Sandy” Polivka, 81, of Davenport, formerly of Tucson, Arizona, died Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf. A celebration of Sandy’s life will be held at a later date. Memorials in Sandy’s honor may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or Tunnels to Towers Foundation. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Sandra Jean Kirkby was born on February 23, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, a daughter of Walter and Dorothy (Booth) Kirkby. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1966 with a degree in education.

Sandy was united in marriage to Charles “Barry” Polivka on October 15, 1966 at St. Norbert’s Catholic Church, Northbrook, Illinois. They have shared over 58 years of marriage together and have enjoyed traveling the world, including many places in Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East. In 1976, Barry and Sandy purchased an old fishing resort in northern Wisconsin and turned it into a special place for friends and family to gather each summer, creating a lifetime of memories for everyone.

Sandy taught elementary education for 8 years. In 1966, she started her teaching career in Cranbrook and Birmingham, Michigan before moving to Arlington Heights, Illinois, where she taught 3rd and 4th grades until her daughter Kristin was born. She taught CCD classes for several years at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church in Arlington Heights, IL.

Sandy was a member of Allied Arts and a past president of the American Association of University Women, Arlington Heights chapter. Sandy also served a 4-year term as president of Big Lake Property Owners Association in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin.

Sandy was a devoted mother, never missing an opportunity to support her daughter, Kristin. She loved to golf and was a long time member of La Paloma Country Club, Tucson, Arizona and Trout Lake Golf Course, Arbor Vitae, WI. Sandy also enjoyed her dogs, her Labrador Retrievers: Tiffany, Amber, and Hunter.

Those left to honor her memory are her husband, Barry, Davenport; daughter and son-in-law, Kristin (Kevin) Eilers, Bettendorf and grandchildren: Megan and Matthew Eilers, Bettendorf.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Stephen Kirkby. May they rest in peace.