Rodney Polacek
September 23, 1946 — October 16, 2023
Rodney "Rod" Frank Polacek was born in David City, Nebraska on September 23, 1946 to Adolph Polacek and Matilda "Tillie" (Sabata) Schlueter. Rod had a sister Carol and brother John.
As a child, he attended Catholic School until Jr. High. During his youth he enjoyed being an altar boy, playing football and fishing with his grandpa. He enjoyed being around his aunts, uncles, and cousins, and he especially enjoyed the wonderful Bohemian food like Aunt Mary's Kolaches.
When he finished school, he joined the United States Navy on the 26th of February 1965 as a Culinary Specialist, which grew his passion for cooking. He served just under 5 years with over 2 years underway during the Vietnam era. He earned the rank of CS2 before returning home to Shelby, where he worked as a truck/trailer refrigeration mechanic for many years. He then went to work in Shelby for the AHSTW schools as a janitor and continued for about 20 years as a janitor and a bus driver.
Tillie later got re-married to Rod's stepdad, Alan Schlueter, and they ran the North Star Gas Station in Shelby. It was there that Rod and Linda met in passing. They became good friends and enjoyed Polka Dancing at the Ballroom in Avoca. They married on May 14, 1977 in Shelby at Grandma Tillie's house. Rod was blessed to add Lance and Jani to their little family and later to add Paul.
Rod was a current member of the American Legion and the VFW. He enjoyed golfing in his younger years, but especially loved hunting, fishing and anything outdoors. He would spend many hours in the garden and provide fresh foods to the local community. He enjoyed and loved his grandkids very much. He was loving, caring, giving, and had a big heart.
Rod passed away, losing a hard-fought battle with cancer on Monday, October 16, 2023 with his wife by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Left to lovingly remember Rod are his wife Linda Polacek of Shelby, IA; His children Lance Buck (Mindy Broadstreet) of Bellevue, NE; Jani (Louie) Ring of Shelby, IA; Paul Polacek (Tracy Hidalgo) of Santa Clara, CA; 8 grandchildren - Cody Buck; Beth (Allen) Walker; Alvin (Angie) Ring; Wayne Ring, Summer Jones, Joe Buck, Samantha Polacek, and Steven Polacek; 8 great grandchildren - Lee, Frank, Bentley, Addy, Ellyott, Jackson, Lilith, and Marian; sister Carol Fox of Shelby, IA; brother John (Karen) Schlueter of Shelby, IA., and many nephews, nieces and friends.
As a child, he attended Catholic School until Jr. High. During his youth he enjoyed being an altar boy, playing football and fishing with his grandpa. He enjoyed being around his aunts, uncles, and cousins, and he especially enjoyed the wonderful Bohemian food like Aunt Mary's Kolaches.
When he finished school, he joined the United States Navy on the 26th of February 1965 as a Culinary Specialist, which grew his passion for cooking. He served just under 5 years with over 2 years underway during the Vietnam era. He earned the rank of CS2 before returning home to Shelby, where he worked as a truck/trailer refrigeration mechanic for many years. He then went to work in Shelby for the AHSTW schools as a janitor and continued for about 20 years as a janitor and a bus driver.
Tillie later got re-married to Rod's stepdad, Alan Schlueter, and they ran the North Star Gas Station in Shelby. It was there that Rod and Linda met in passing. They became good friends and enjoyed Polka Dancing at the Ballroom in Avoca. They married on May 14, 1977 in Shelby at Grandma Tillie's house. Rod was blessed to add Lance and Jani to their little family and later to add Paul.
Rod was a current member of the American Legion and the VFW. He enjoyed golfing in his younger years, but especially loved hunting, fishing and anything outdoors. He would spend many hours in the garden and provide fresh foods to the local community. He enjoyed and loved his grandkids very much. He was loving, caring, giving, and had a big heart.
Rod passed away, losing a hard-fought battle with cancer on Monday, October 16, 2023 with his wife by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Left to lovingly remember Rod are his wife Linda Polacek of Shelby, IA; His children Lance Buck (Mindy Broadstreet) of Bellevue, NE; Jani (Louie) Ring of Shelby, IA; Paul Polacek (Tracy Hidalgo) of Santa Clara, CA; 8 grandchildren - Cody Buck; Beth (Allen) Walker; Alvin (Angie) Ring; Wayne Ring, Summer Jones, Joe Buck, Samantha Polacek, and Steven Polacek; 8 great grandchildren - Lee, Frank, Bentley, Addy, Ellyott, Jackson, Lilith, and Marian; sister Carol Fox of Shelby, IA; brother John (Karen) Schlueter of Shelby, IA., and many nephews, nieces and friends.
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