Polly Marilyn (Masters) Link, 92, of Media, Illinois died on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington, Iowa. Polly was born on March 31, 1930, in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Leo and Julia (Hanson) Masters. On January 14, 1950, Polly married Charles L. (Bud) Link.
After Bud was discharged from the Air Force, he went to Masters’ Motorcycles to purchase a Harley. It was there he met Polly and the rest was history. Bud and Polly were the proud parents of daughter, Vicki, and two sons, Chuck and Rick.
Polly was a 1947 graduate of Burlington High School. She opened a secondhand store in downtown Burlington. Following that successful endeavor, Polly was employed at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown. She later worked part-time as a home healthcare provider, which she very much enjoyed. However, Polly’s life’s work and greatest accomplishment was farming with her husband and sons. Polly was instrumental in working cattle, driving her grain truck during harvest, making sure everyone was fed, and countless other tasks.
Following Bud’s passing in 1998, Polly continued to farm with her sons over the last 25 years. Up until the age of 87, Polly still hauled grain to the elevator in the same truck she had driven for many years. Her grit and work ethic were second to none.
Polly also enjoyed spending time with her daughter. Together they enjoyed shopping, reading the Sunday paper over coffee, watching their favorite shows, going for drives, and planning holiday gatherings. She looked forward to her daily visits from Vicki.
Her survivors include her daughter, Vicki (John) Keane, of Media, and her son Chuck (Donna) Link of Stronghurst. Also surviving are her seven granddaughters and one grandson: Jenny (Mike) Wood, Robyn (Phil) Long, Lisa Brown (Jeremiah DeVos), Kristina Link, Laura (Markus) Bruce, Chuck Keane, Ashley Link (Nick Sage), and Cassidy (Cody) Minton. Polly’s great-grandchildren are: Logan, Trey and Zach Wood, Carson and Reagan Long, Hannah and Maddie Link, Carlee Link, Jordyn Brown, Leah and Lucas Bruce, and Jonah, Charlee, and Theo Keane and great-great-grandsons: Camden and Stetson Neff. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Polly was proceeded in death by her husband, son, Rick and siblings, Allen Masters, Katherine Heap, and Richard Masters.
The family would like to extend gratitude to the staff at Addington Place, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, and the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.
The services for Polly will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst, Illinois with Dan Ashton officiating. The family will receive guests who wish to pay tribute to Polly from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m., with the funeral service commencing at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at the Walnut Grove Cemetery near Media. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the benefit of Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House and West Central FFA. Following the services, the family would be honored for you to join them to celebrate Polly’s life well-lived at the St. Patrick’s Community Center in Raritan, Illinois.
