Mildred Hrubos Polka, affectionately known as Millie to her friends and MaMama to her family, passed away on June 23, 2026, at the age of 98. She was born on July 6, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois, to Lillian and Frank Hrubos, immigrants to the United States from Czechoslovakia.

Millie grew up in Chicago and, after graduating from high school, began her career as an X-ray technician. She married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Raymond Polka, and together they shared 48 happy years of marriage. Together they built a life filled with love, family and treasured memories, making their homes in Chicago, Columbia, and Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Much of Millie’s early adult life was devoted to raising her five children. She later worked for the Tennessee Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records until her retirement in 1989. In the years that followed, she lovingly cared for Dick as he faced the progressive effects of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, remaining faithfully by his side until his death in 1996 at the age of 70.

Millie was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be profoundly missed by her five children: Patrice Farish (Tom), Diane Huggins (Mike), Richard A. Polka (Jan), Carolyn Mayberry, and Laura Jean Montgomery (Tony); her nine grandchildren: Libby Scanlan (Matthew), Lara Kennedy (Bryan), Mary Huggins, Campbell Farish (Corey), Neeley Rice (Hollis), Hamilton Polka, Austin Mayberry, Ryan Montgomery (Bethany), and Hailey Montgomery; and her eight great-grandchildren: Hawken Kirchner, Amelia Scanlan, Jacob Kennedy, Ira Rice, Millie Rice, Jaxson Mayberry, Asher Montgomery, and Lucas Montgomery.

A lifelong Catholic, Millie was one of the original members of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Hendersonville, where she was a faithful parishioner for more than 50 years. She enjoyed playing the piano, reading, playing computer games, and spending time with friends and family. Those blessed to know Millie will remember her gentle presence, sweet nature, sense of humor, and grateful spirit. Her children and grandchildren will always cherish her deep appreciation for the gift of family, especially family vacations, holiday celebrations and the many joyful “Polka Parties” that brought loved ones together.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at NHC Place Sumner for the kindness, love, and compassionate care they gave to Millie.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church or to the Our Lady of the Lake Mission for St. Bertin in Haiti, 1729 Stop Thirty Road, Hendersonville, TN 37075.

A visitation will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A Funeral Liturgy Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon reception. Burial service will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.