Arthur Polak

Arthur "Art" Joe Polak, 94, of Gothenburg, NE died March 21, 2012 at Linden Court in North Platte, NE.

Arthur Joe Polak was born February 11, 1918 to Frank and Mary (Skucius) Polak at Munden, KS, where he attended school and farmed until he was inducted into the United States Army in February 1941. He married Lucille Moravek on May 10, 1941, while training in Little Rock, AR. He also was stationed at San Luis Obispo, Burbank, Riverside and Pasadena, CA, Camp Hood, TX, and Camp Polk, LA. He served with the 127th FA Battalion, which later was converted, to the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion. After further training in England, his unit landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and saw action in every major campaign of the European Theater during World War II. After being honorably discharged, he attended school at Milford, NE, and then owned and operated a refrigeration and electrical contracting business in Superior, NE, where his children were born. In 1957, the family moved to Gothenburg, NE where Art and Lucille owned and operated retail businesses until their retirement in 1981.

Art was involved in civic affairs, serving on the Gothenburg Zoning and Planning Commission for 10 years, active in the Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the Gothenburg Improvement Corporation, and a member of the American Legion Post #64.

During retirement, Art’s love for travel took him and Lucille on trips all over North America and throughout Europe. They were winter residents in Yuma, AZ for 14 years, participating in many activities and attending various classes at Arizona Western College. They returned to Gothenburg in 1995, where they lived until 2010 when they moved to Linden Court in North Platte, NE.

Arthur is survived by his wife, Lucille, a daughter, Debi (Burnell) Steinmeyer of North Platte, NE, a son, Harold of Alma, NE, grandchildren DJ and Bre Steinmeyer and Abbi Polak, and a great grandson, Cyrus Jordan. He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother Archie, brothers Rudolph and Ernest, and sister Elsie.

Cremation was chosen at Art's Request.