Pauline Bunker

Pauline (Polly) Frances Bertrand Bunker, 64, passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer on June 18, 2022. Just at the moment we say “she has left”, there are others who are watching her coming and their voices take up a glad shout, “Here she comes!”

Polly’s contagious smile and unforgettable laugh, followed by the occasional snort, immediately lit up any room. She cherished spending time with her loved ones having long, late-night conversations in the kitchen or on her patio, where she proudly hung her favorite string lights, overfed the Midwest’s largest black squirrel and kept a close eye out for cardinals – her favorite bird. Anyone that truly knew her, knew she had such a big heart and the most kind, loving soul.

Among these strong qualities, Polly was both dedicated and vibrant. At a young age, Polly started babysitting for 25-cents per hour to save up enough money to buy a horse. By the time she was 13 she rode her very own horse, Rusty, bareback throughout the fields of Green Bay and Door County. She was known for painting the Rolling Stones on the ceiling of her high school cafeteria. As an adult, she enjoyed taking her kids to Packer games, concerts, kayaking, farmers markets and watching her favorite movies such as Phantom of the Opera and Dirty Dancing.

Her spirit is carried on by her son, Nicholas Bunker and wife Sara Bunker, her daughter Danielle Raty and wife Esther Raty, granddaughters Delilah and Valerie Bunker, mother Colleen Bertrand, siblings Ellen Mortell, Mary Jo McCarthy, Scott Bertrand, the Bunker family, and extended family of relatives and friends from every walk of life. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Polly and share countless memories.

Visitation will be held at Old St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on the St. Norbert College Campus, 123 Grant Street, De Pere, WI 54115 on Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm with service beginning at 11:00 am. The service will be followed with a joyful Celebration of Life at 12:00 pm at the Abbey Bar and Grill, 303 Reid St, De Pere, WI 54115.

A donation to Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary will be made in Polly’s name. Contributions to the donation in Polly’s name or funeral flower donations are gratefully appreciated by the family and may be sent via Venmo to @dbunker33.