Polly Roth Bales (Pauline Elsie Roth) was born June 30, 1920 at Whitewater, Kansas to John P. and Anna Roth. In 1938, she entered the University of Kansas, where she studied the organ. On November 29, 1941, she married Logan, Kansas native Dane Gray Bales, also a graduate of the University of Kansas. Their son, Dane Gray Bales, Jr., was born in Logan, where Mrs. Bales has been a leader in numerous community organizations and in the United Methodist Church, serving for many years as church organist.

As an active member of Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas and the Republican Party, Mrs. Bales has also served in many leadership capacities. She was twice a delegate and once an alternate to national Republican Party conventions, was a member of the [Bob] Dole for President Exploratory Committee, and was Regional Co-Chair of Dole for President.

Polly Bales and her husband have been recognized for their outstanding support of Kansas higher education. The University of Kansas' Dane and Polly Bales Organ Recital Hall was named in their honor. They have each received the University of Kansas Alumni Association's Fred Ellsworth Medallion for unique and significant service to the University, and in 1985 received Fort Hays State University's Distinguished Service Award. In 1987, they were inducted into KU's Gallery of Outstanding Kansans.

Dane Bales, Jr. died in 1998. Dane Bales, Sr. died in 2001. Polly Roth Bales died June 28, 2013.