Joseph P. Polasek Jr.

MONONA- Joseph Patrick Polasek Jr. age 65, of Monona, passed away Saturday, June 9, 2018, at his home. He was born July 24, 1952, in Milwaukee, the son of Patricia Jane Polasek and Joseph Patrick Polasek Sr. Growing up, Joe was a straight A student, played basketball, and was Prom King at St. Francis High School. He attended the UW Whitewater, receiving his undergraduate degree in political science. During his years at Whitewater, Joe was student body president, a member of the Delta Chi fraternity and was the first student ever elected to the Whitewater City Council. Joe then received his masters in Public Administration at UW Madison. Joe started his career with the State of Wisconsin in 1975, in the Department of Administration as a budget analyst, where he worked for nine years. He then began his life's work in the Department of Natural Resources in 1984 where he served as Budget Director until the day he passed. During that time, he was instrumental in administering nearly every major state environmental policy. Every DNR program has Joe’s fingerprints on it.  He always knew how to listen to what the public wanted and was always careful to spend the tax payers dollar wisely.  He was an avid sports fan and always the life of the party. Joe was a loving father to his son Mike and daughter Lindsay. He was a second dad to many of their friends that referred to him fondly as Joe Pa. He shared twenty years of marriage and decades of a loving friendship after with Lori Jolin. Joe is survived by his beloved kids, Mike (Christen) and Lindsay Polasek; mother, Patricia Polasek, and nephews, Steven (Tracy) and Kevin (Jodie) Polasek. He was preceded in death by his father; brother, Phillip Polasek; and sister-in-law, Barbara Polasek. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr. Madison, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., on Friday, June 15, 2018. A Celebration of Life will follow at the COME BACK IN, 508 E. Wilson St. downtown Madison. In lieu of flowers memorials may be gifted to UW-Madison Carbone Cancer Center. Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608)-221-5420