John J. Polzar

John Joseph Polzar was a Good Man

Born in 1938, to Otto and Alma Polzar, dad was a typical farm kid. He grew up wanting to emulate his father and "sometimes" mind his mother. Losing his father at an early age hurt deeply, but he never lost that focus to be there for his mother and little sister Regina. Some time after his father's death, his mother would find love again. Not being the father he looked up to and missed very much, dad could have rebelled and said I won't accept this. But he knew Chauncy Hawke made Alma happy and would be a good husband and partner for her. So he welcomed Chauncy into the family and found a loving step-father.

John Polzar was a Good Son

Dad met the love of his life, Georgia Ann Ruetti, at Frankfort High School. He a big, tough, athletic boy and her a short, scrawny, farm girl…it was an odd match. But boy did he find his girl. Over 61 years together, they loved, they quarreled, but above all else they were there for each other. Through the thick and very thin they never left each other's side. They were joined at the hip, plastic or otherwise. Our father loved our mother unconditionally. We wish everyone that kind of love.

John Polzar was a Good Husband

Dad and mom raised two children, Angela Jayne (Don) Ford and John Corbyn (Stacy) Polzar, but we should say four. They thought of Don and Stacy as their children just as much as us. Angie was his freckled face girl and always will be. We remember dad always staying up late until she got home from a date or a night out with friends. One of the most indelible memories we have of dad is him getting up at 3 o'clock in morning to go to work and sometimes not getting home until 6 or 7 at night. Even in the summer time, when the light allowed and after 15 hours of work, he would always come out to have a catch with Corbyn in the front yard if asked. Then every night mom would ice his legs, which were damaged from a car crash in his youth, and then he would get up the next morning at 3 and do it again. We remember family vacations to California, Florida, South Dakota, Worlds of Fun. We remember a man who worked his ass off to ensure his children had a better life than his. We remember a father that would do anything for his children…and did!

John Polzar was a Good Father

Now, let's talk about the real apples of dad's eye. With 6 grandchildren, Erica (Dusty) Bunce, Aleigha (David) Mariott, Hayden Ford, Katelyn (Jordan) Heinen, Hunter Polzar and Sydney Polzar, and 3 great grandchildren, Savannah and Dylan Bunce and Jacob Mariott, let us just say that we feel for every umpire and referee out there. If you didn't call a foul, didn't call a strike, didn't make the right call, you were in trouble. Dad loved to spoil his grandchildren, with the ever guiding hand of our mother. Partly, no doubt, just to get back at his children. "Umm, we've filled them up with sweets and let them do whatever. Here you go. Have fun. Love you!" Dad was in it for the long game. Lord knows we caused him many a gray hair and this was his payback. But it wasn't that. It was simply a very deep-seeded love for his grandchildren.

John Polzar was a Good Grandfather

In moments of loss, and particularly in the toxic times we find ourselves in, we need to look for pillars to lean on. We all should strive to lean on the pillars that were our father…love, compassion, understanding, hard work, and kindness. Hell, when you come to the end and you're remembered as a good son, good husband, good father and good grandfather, you've lead a good life. Rest now, dad. You did good.

John Joseph Polzar was a Good Man

Private family services will be held at Half Day Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Elmont United Methodist Church, 6635 NW Church Ln, Topeka, KS 66618.

To leave a message for John's family, please visit the guestbook below.