Polly Ellen Palmer Brunkhardt

Polly Ellen Palmer Brunkhardt of Topeka, Kansas passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at Stormont Vail Hospital. A celebration of Polly's life is pending and will be held at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the the KU Cancer center in care of the KU Endowment program for breast cancer research and mailed to 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Mail Stop 3012, Kansas City, Kansas 66160. 

Polly was born on October 27, 1942 in Topeka, KS to William Hopkins Palmer and Vivian Tracey Palmer. She graduated from Topeka High school and the University of Colorado, where she was affiliated with Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She married James Lee Brunkhardt on November 28, 1964. Along with her mother and sister, Polly owned and operated Vivian's, a decorative accessories shop, until its closing in 1993. She was treasurer of the Palmer Companies, Topeka. She served as President of the Junior League of Topeka in 1970-80, was a founder of Mobile Meals, Inc. (now Meals on Wheels), and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Topeka United Way. 

After moving to Kansas City in 1982, Polly continued her business involvement with the Palmer Companies, PLBLeasing Company, and was a co-owner, co-operator of the Bellairre Shopping Center. She served on the boards of the Crippled Children's Nursery School (now Children's TLC), The Pembroke Hill School, Kansas City Union Station, was President of the FBI- Kansas City Citizens' Academy Alumni Association, and a member of the FBI- National Citizens' Alumni Association, chairing the National FBINCAAA Conference in Kansas City in 2010. Polly received the Director's Community Leadership Award from FBI Director Robert Mueller in 2011. She chaired the Pembroke Hill School Clothesline Sale and the Pembroke Hill Awesome Auction; the Children's TLC Groundhog Run, The Rose Brooks Center Cabaret Gala; The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Kid's Night Out, The Starlight Theatre Gala; the museum of Art 60th Anniversary Celebration; and the Rose Brooks Center 25th Anniversary Celebrations. Polly was an active member of the Junior League of Kansas City , Mo and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumni Association. 

When Polly was not tending to business and philanthropic endeavors, or managing the household, she could be seen enjoyed herself with family and friends in Las Vegas and Vail, Colorado. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her nephew, William Henry (Hank) Lumpkin; her son, Benjamin Palmer Brunkhardt; her husband, James L. Brunkhardt and her sister, Penny Lumpkin. She is survived by her son, William James Brunkhardt; niece, Kelley Kathleen Lumpkin; great nephews, Grayson and Griffin Lumpkin and great niece, Hartley Reynolds. 

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