Ellen Polzin Niski, 85, Austin

Ellen Polzin Niski, 85, of Austin, Minn., died Wednesday Jan. 4, 2017 of natural causes at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center in New Prague, Minn., where she had been a resident since 2009.
Ellen Eloise Uptagrafft was born Nov. 12, 1932, in West Concord, Minn., to Claude and Sarah (Babcock) Uptagrafft. She grew up in Dodge Center, Minn., attended school there and graduated from West Concord high school in 1949. She attended Austin Teacher’s College for two years and taught in one room country school houses in Steele and Dodge Counties for 10 years. Ellen was married Jan. 8, 1966, in Rochester, Minn., to Arthur E. Polzin. Following their marriage the couple lived in Racine, Minn. and Stewartville, Minn. Mr. Polzin died Nov. 26, 1972. Ellen and her son Arthur moved to Austin where she lived for many years. Ellen was married Jan. 23, 1980, to Chester Niski in Austin, where they made their home. Mr. Niski died Oct. 8, 1994. Ellen was a past member of the First Baptist Church in Stewartville and Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. She enjoyed reading her Bible and going out to dinner with her son, Arthur.
Ellen is survived by her son, Arthur “Art” Polzin of Alden, Minn., and two sisters, Marlys Thompson of Hayfield, Minn., and Marion Cordiner of Woodbury, Minn. She was preceded in death by her husbands.
A private family burial and committal service will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Stewartville at a later date. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray funeral home in Stewartville. http://www.griffin-gray.com/home