Leonard J. 'Len' Polak

Leonard J. ‘Len’ Polak, 82, a lifelong resident of the Town of Pine River, Lincoln County, passed away Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. 

Len was born May 23, 1943, in Merrill, son of Carl and Erna (Klein) Polak. Len grew up working on the family farm and in the family sawmill. A lifelong entrepreneur, he purchased 120 acres of farmland at age 17, with his father signing the deed. Len was a 1961 graduate of Merrill High School. Early work experience included farming, road construction and driving truck. He bought his first truck in 1970 and operated a trucking company for 28 years. He founded an excavating business at age 55 and performed underground utilities for 10 years. He returned to driving over-the-road part-time for his sons’ trucking company for 15 more years, having reached full retirement at age 80. He was a lifelong entrepreneur, and he passed down that trait to his children. Len enjoyed spending time with his family and stepfamily and could always be relied on to help with repairs, building construction, dirt work, landscaping or advice.

Len built his growing family a new home in 1970. He designed it, cut the trees, planed the lumber, moved the dirt, and built the basement and house. He could fix anything, including a diesel engine, famously repeating his own father who said, “someone else designed and created this machine, I should be able to simply take it apart and put it back together”.

He married June J. (Utech) Magray on March 13, 1993. She preceded him in death on March 28, 2023. 

Len loved being outdoors. He enjoyed gardening, cutting wood, and spending time at the cottage on Lake Buteau in Harrison. In his younger years, Len was involved in 4H and FFA. He was a member of the L&L Tree Dodgers Snowmobile Club and was the trail groomer for many years. 

Len was a longtime member of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Gleason and was involved in the Men’s Bible Study Group. He was active in the new church’s planning and building processes and the landscaping project. 

Survivors include his daughter, Amy Matz of Parker, CO; sons, Dennis (Sheila) Polak and Delmer (Tracey) Polak both of Merrill; stepsons, Michael (Kelly) Magray of Merrill and John (Vanessa) Magray of Kewaskum; grandchildren, Adam, Nolan, Grant, and Jack Polak, and Drew and Alana Polak; step grandchildren, Alison (Josh) Pint Stanfield, Alexis (Alex) Yost, Trevor Magray, and Aubrey Magray; step great-grandchildren, Arlo, Lennon, Dottie, Aries, and Axel; and brother, David (Donna) Polak of Merrill; and sister-in-law, Darlene Rethaber of Merrill. 

Len was preceded in death by his wife, June Magray; parents, Carl and Erna Polak; and son, Chad Polak. 

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, Gleason. Rev. Greg Laska will officiate. Burial will take place in Emmanuel Luther Memorial Cemetery, Town of Schley. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:00 A.M. Saturday at the church.

Len’s family would like to thank the staff at Pine Crest Nursing Home for their compassionate care of their beloved father. 

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation, Merrill, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Luther Memorial Church Building Fund.