Age 78 of Inver Grove Heights.
Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends on October 9, 2024.
Joe loved life and by his own account he lived a good one. It was a life filled with family, friends, hobbies, and travels that gave him and those close to him decades of fond memories and good times. He loved dogs and it was not unusual to see him with two or three pups at his feet. Joe was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed numerous activities related to the great outdoors, including fishing, hunting, shooting (a hobby he shared with his father), fossil hunting, rockhounding, birdwatching, and astronomy to name a few. Joe also enjoyed sports and played baseball in high school for the South Saint Paul Packers and coached youth hockey.
Joe honorably served his country in the Vietnam War from 1964–1968 as a Navy Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class. His three tours of duty included stints on the USS Ticonderoga and USS Hancock. Upon discharge, Joe resided in San Diego and San Francisco before returning to Minnesota and putting down roots in Inver Grove Heights. During this time, he received his Associate Arts degree in mechanical engineering from Inver Hills Community College. He worked in this capacity for several Twin Cities companies including LiquiPack in St. Paul. At LiquiPack, he traveled around the globe and designed a company-sponsored boat for the Aquatennial’s popular annual milk carton boat race on Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis. In 1991, Joe opened Outlaw’s RC World, a hobby shop, in Oakdale and later worked at Ace Hardware in Inver Grove during semi-retirement.
In 1984, Joe met Tina, his partner of more than 40 years, and David, their son, was born a couple of years later in 1986. Their house was home to many throughout their years together, including relatives, neighbors and friends, spanning generations young and old.
Joe never lost his sense of wonder and mischief, which would be on full display during the holiday season — much to the delight of the children (both young and old) in his life. We always knew the holiday season was upon us once he donned his “I Still Believe” sweatshirt. He had a generous heart and would spend days on end searching for the perfect gifts for the people in his life. One of his greatest joys was seeing their smiles and delight as they unwrapped their presents.
Joe meant so much to so many and took great pride in his role as a loving partner, father, uncle, brother, Obi, and friend to us all. He was our anchor and not a day will go by that he will not be missed. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Polakoski Sr. and Frances Polakoski, sister Judy Heiss, and brother Gary Polakoski. Left with hearts filled with cherished memories are his loving partner Tina, son David, sisters Laurie (Bob) Seaton and Marnee Sanders, sister-in-law Frances Trice (Donny Cheung), niece Tiffanea (Jeff) Mulder, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and extended family, dear neighbors Norm and Ruth Henslin and John and Rayme Schlichenmeyer, and dear friends Nicole Clausen, Ed and Mike Pfluger, Greg Hakanson, Katie Kammerude, Julie Young, Valerie Zilka, Drew (Kayla), Greg (Kim) and Lloyd Rogers.
A celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Friday, November 1 at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Avenue, Inver Grove Heights. Visitation will start at 4:00 p.m. with a short service to follow at 6:00 p.m. officiated by Pastors Dennis and Jackie Durry. The service can be livestreamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/m24101468256585. Joe was never one for formality, so the family encourages you to wear your favorite sweatshirt, DnD cloak, jeans, or whatever you feel most comfortable in. Canine friends are welcome to attend the service. Private interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on Monday, November 4 at 11:00 a.m.
We know that many of you have a favorite story or picture of Joe, and we would love to see them all. Please share a memory of Joe or send a condolence to his family at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/twincities/obituary-funeralhome.aspx?fh=roberts-funeral-home&fhid=4291 .
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you take moment to get outside… take a walk, look for rocks, cast a line in your favorite pond, or consider a donation to the Animal Humane Society, Pheasants Forever, or Toys for Tots.