Obituaries
(These are posted on the web site due to space constraints in the Winter 2004 Newsletter and because of the passing of two remarkable Weedman family members. We wanted to let subscribers read the full articles on Polly Weedman and Jean Carlen.)
Olive Anne (Polly) Weedman
NAPLES, Fla. -Polly (Olive Anne) Westaby Weedman, 90, formerly of Rapid City, passed away October 19, 2004, in Naples, FL. Polly was born April 23, 1914 in Madison, South Dakota. Polly graduated from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, with a triple major in theater, speech therapy, and psychology.
After a brief career working for Harry Reasoner, Sr., as a talent agent for Northwest Assemblies in Minneapolis, Minn., she married her college sweetheart, George David Weedman, on Jan 27, 1914. They moved to Rapid City in 1944. In Rapid City she accepted private students for speech therapy and for declamatory contests. The local American Association of University Women asked her to volunteer as head of the AAUW drama group. This gave her the opportunity to use her theater skills from college, and soon it developed into a successful community theater. A few years later she was recruited by the owner of Radio Station KOTA to write, produce and broadcast a women's radio show. She expanded the show and her career to broadcasting five days a week for the next 25 years. Her radio show broadcast grew into a more than full-time enterprise, especially when television finally came to Rapid City. She began writing, producing, and appearing in everything from local talent shows to children's programs. She did the research, the scenario and scripting for "Four Seasons West," a story of South Dakota's cattle industry. The production was given the National Western Heritage Award for the best western documentary. At one time she had as many as four shows simultaneously - The Polly Weedman Show; Aunt Polly's Children's Hour; Talent Review, and a once-a-week half-hour radio show, Christmas Shopping Bag, which was later developed into a road show in the West River area. During those years she also developed the Iseman Talent Show where she was writer, producer and director. The winner was awarded an all-expense paid trip to Europe and to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. Tom Brokaw was one of her television cameramen during his college years. In 1950 Polly was named "Woman of the Year," by the Rapid City Business and Professional Women's Club. Later she was awarded the McCall's Magazine 10th Annual Gold Mike Award for Service to the Family: Her radio interview series titled "Marriage is What You Make It," focused attention on the community's need for a marriage counseling service, according the to the McCall's judges. The show aired marital problems and followed up with workshops attended by teenagers, couples going steady, young marrieds as well as parents with teenage children. She was runner-up the next year in another division. However, she felt one of her greatest achievements was her involvement with retarded children which led to formation of the Rapid City Association for Retarded Children.
Other awards and honors followed during her years as a radio and television personality, but that all ended when she contracted Parkinson's disease in 1968 which attacked her throat, and she lost her voice. After her health was somewhat restored by medication, she and her husband, George, enjoyed retirement years together with cruises, winters in South Carolina or California, ballroom dancing, and competitive duplicate bridge. Then at age 75 she lost her eyesight due to macular degeneration. Within days, in spite of laser surgery, she was completely blind in one eye and had defective sight in the other. A rehabilitation teacher from South Dakota Human Services, Division of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired, came to their home to teach her how to take care of herself and their home. The South Dakota affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind taught her white cane travel. She also learned Braille, which she found easy and fascinating. Unable to see, her typewriter was of little value so she learned to use a computer with voice output (computer and lessons provided by the state rehabilitation agency).
In 1995, due to their failing health, she and her husband George moved to Naples, Fla. She is survived by her sister Dorothy McCray, Silver City, N.M; her son Richard Weedman, Naples FL., her daughter George Anne Weedman Planck, Port Hueneme, Calif., grandsons, Sanford Randolph Planck, Los Angeles, and John Robert Planck of San Luis Obispo, Calif. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1996, her son Robert 1949, her brother, Robert Spencer Westaby Jr., MD and her sister Geraldine Westaby Kickbush. Services were held on October 25 in Naples Florida. Inurnment will be at a later date in Rapid City.
Jean Eleanor Carlen
Jean Eleanor Lovejoy Carlen left her physical being in this world to join hands once again with her beloved husband Raymond Nils Carlen on Tuesday, July 20. While her later years witnessed much suffering she graciously left this world in much the same manner as she had lived her life, a queen in attendance until the end.
Born on June 29, 1920 in Chicago, Ill, Jean attended the Harris School for Girls in Chicago learning all of the finer points of etiquette and education, going on to graduate from the University of Illinois in Champaign. Jean joined and then became President of the Illinois Zeta chapter of Pi Beta Phi, continuing this fraternity connection throughout her life with the Hinsdale Alumnae Pi Phi. It was during this higher level of education that she met, then married (sans football helmet) Ray Carlen who was eventually to become President of Joseph T. Ryerson & Son Steel Company. During the war years (the one that would end all such means of negotiation , WW II) Jean honed her sales skills at Marshall Field & Co. where she was a merchandise buyer (again quite the trend groundbreaker as this position was usually filled by a male), but it was at Ray’s side through his career at Ryerson where all of her social and event planning abilities really shone.
Persevering through her own difficulties at many times Jean was a champion for all of the appropriately correct things to do. She supported the many moves a husband’s career necessitated, raised two intelligent and caring children (Susan & Cynthia), and was instrumental in not only the volunteer causes of her husband but also of her children and her own. In 1960, with the assistance of but a handful of others, she organized an entire "Suzy League" softball association in Hinsdale, Illinois so that her daughters would have the opportunities that at the time were offered only to male-oriented "Little League". Truly a visionary leadership role way ahead of its politically correct time, as generations of female baseball leagues followed this historic first.
In Hinsdale she was voluntarily instrumental in the Community House, Hinsdale Community Memorial Hospital of Western Springs, and the Parent Teachers Organization; planning ice cream socials, debutante events, Easter basket selling, and other creative fundraising endeavors with her skills in theme parties legendary. She made sure that her daughters had all the opportunities in life she could provide whether swimming lessons, ballet, dance, or sports.
Later in life she was a wonderfully kind and doting grandmother to daughter Sue’s two children, Lauren and Jacquie; giving generously of herself and continuing her love of themed gifts and parties. She was a humorously simpatico foil but attentive and welcoming listener to Cindy’s husband, Jay Ruzak, who earned his Carlen chevrons at Ryerson with Jean’s husband Ray. In her retirement years Jean continued long friendships that started in college then continued through Steel Industry careers; such as those with Mary Fran Gillan, Julie Brown and Fran Murray. She continued the founding of such helpful organizations such as Wee Care Day Care Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, and then New Song. During her middle sixties Jean also returned to the classroom to obtain a Master’s Degree in Psychology from the Alfred Adler Institute.
A woman of so many accomplishments through her many skills at utilizing others to the best of her, and their, abilities; she proficiently gathered many groups of friends and support about her throughout the years. Her household companion of over 20 years, Addie Carmichael passed on just two months ago. However, a fact known to but a few of her friends is that Jean was the inspiration behind the invention of the "Winky Dink" tv screen.
Her circle of friends and caring supporters grew as she toured the care facilities of Scottsdale, Arizona where one of her continued loves was going out for lunch or dinner or having her hair done. The family will be eternally grateful to those who helped make her final years more liveable with dignity and quality: Rosetta & Ben, Maria, Laurinda, Becky, Rita, Dottie, and many more.
As she departs to places "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" with a final salute to the Wine and Silver Blue we will all miss her engaging and entertaining ways.
A memorial service was held on Wednesday, July 28 at 10am in the Timothy Stone Chapel at the 4th Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut (Michigan & Chestnut corner) Chicago, Illinois. Jean and Ray were married in this chapel on June 15, 1946. Burial was in Arlington Memorial Cemetery, 6202 Charles St., Rockford, Ill.
This page was last updated on February 22, 2009.