Janet Polasky

Janet A. (René) Polasky, age 79, of Ripon, WI, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at Whispering Pines in Ripon with family by her side.
 
Janet Arleen was born on July 27, 1943, in Portland, OR to Ben and Dorothy (Peters) René.  Shortly after her birth, the family relocated to Fargo, ND, which became her childhood home.  Jan attended school in Fargo and graduated from Shanley High School.  Early in her career, she had training in the business trades and began working as a secretary.
 
Janet soon met Ralph A. Polasky (of Tappen, ND) at a Halloween dance in Fargo.  They married one year later, in 1962, and started a family.  After settling in Wisconsin, Janet continued raising a family while embarking on a nursing program at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac.  After graduation and briefly working as a first aid nurse at Green Giant, she began working in her new field as an LPN at Berlin Memorial Hospital’s intensive care unit.  Janet gave 10+ years’ dedicated service to Berlin Memorial.  She then decided to continue in nursing as an administrator and went on to manage the American House senior assisted living facility in Ripon, and then eventually landed at Sheltered Village to complete her very successful nursing career.
 
Janet took great pride in and thrived on caring for others needing help.  At the same time, she raised her five children with the greatest loving care.  Jan eventually took on the enduring role as primary caregiver to her husband Ralph, as he suffered a long running decline in health until his passing in September 2021 (they were married for nearly 59 years).  She was dedicated to his care, while continuing to share love with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  There was no shortage of this loving generosity in Janet’s heart.  She always made sure that everyone who visited her home was well-fed, comfortable, and happy.  She could sense a troubled heart and took initiative to help ease a person’s pain or concerns.  Her smile, sense of humor and laugh was contagious.  She enjoyed weekend getaways, cooking, getting outside for walks at the farm, and especially loved playing with her grandchildren (probably her favorite way to spend time).
 
Janet is survived by her children, Ralph B. (Dana) Polasky of Ripon, WI, Charles A. (Kristine) Polasky of Marietta, GA, Mary K. (Jon) Becker of Olathe, KS, John E. (Jennifer) Polasky of Oconomowoc, WI, and Gregory J. (Noel) Polasky of Delafield, WI; 13 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Jim René of Fargo, ND, Tom René of Albuquerque, NM, Jack René, of Stacy, MN, and Phillip René of Fargo, ND; and one sister, Cathy (René) Cullen, of Fargo, ND.  She is further survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins. Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Dorothy René; husband, Ralph Polasky; and two brothers, Joseph and Fred.
 
Visitation for Janet will be held on Thursday, November 17, 2022, from 8:30 am until 10:30 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 228 E. Blossom St., Ripon, WI 54971.
 
Mass of Christian Burial for Janet will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, with Fr. Jim Leary, OFM, Cap officiating. You may view a livestream of the mass at 10:30 am on Thursday here Livestream. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Town of Ripon, WI.  A memorial is being established in her name.