Prominent philanthropist and volunteer Isabelle Polacheck, nee Rosenberg, died of heart failure on Sunday, Aug. 7. She was 91.
A Milwaukee native, she graduated from what is now the University School of Milwaukee in 1932 and attended college for one year. She became president of Reliable Knitting Works, and participated in Tempo, a business women’s group, and the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.
She was a member of Congregation Sinai, as well as past president of the American Jewish Committee’s Milwaukee chapter. She loved art and painted, and volunteered as a docent for the Milwaukee Art Museum. She was on the board of the Skylight Opera Theater, Florentine Opera Company and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Council.
She helped found the Historic Third Ward Association, and was instrumental in keeping that area from becoming a red light district in the 1980s.
She was preceded in death by husband, Herbert, in 1973. She is survived by son Jerry Polacheck and daughter Barbara Blutstein, both of Milwaukee; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Aug. 10 at Congregation Shalom. Rabbi David Cohen officiated. Burial was at Spring Hill Cemetery.
The family would appreciate memorial contributions to the Children’s Outing Association, the Milwaukee Art Museum or another charity of the donor’s choice.
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