Kenneth "Polack" Pezewski

Kenneth Michael Pezewski, age 80 of Slinger, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Kathy Hospice, in West Bend, surrounded by his family.
Ken was born on July 14, 1944, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, to parents Bernard and Virginia (nee Bell). Ken met Marlene at Bublitz restaurant in Hartford and they united in marriage on August 22, 1964, at St Kilian Catholic Church in Hartford. They settled down and bought their house in 1971, where they currently reside, in Slinger.
He worked in Manufacturing at Stolper Steel in Menomonee Falls for 25 years until the company shut down. He then worked for a brief time at MBW in Slinger before he retired from Eisenberg, Weigel, & Carlson. He worked for that law firm in Milwaukee for 20 years as a Motorcycle Accident Investigator. He was proud of the fact that he was the only one at the firm allowed to come to work wearing jeans, a Harley shirt, a wallet chain, and all his rings.
Up until his passing, he was a motorcycle enthusiast and loved Harley-Davidson, however, he didn't care what you rode as long as it was on two wheels. Early on he was given the nickname "POLACK" and that's what most people knew him by.
He founded ABATE of Wisconsin Region 1H and was the District Rep for 25 years mainly focusing on rider safety and fair laws regarding riding on two wheels. His dedication to ABATE as a lifetime member cannot be forgotten. While in ABATE he organized an annual group ride in the Hartford Christmas Parade, started annual Chili Cookoffs, involved in the annual Milwaukee VA 2X4 car/bike show, organized Toys for Tots bike runs, was part of the committee BOLD (motorcycle rides for the blind) and lots of other events designed to help Veterans, children, the needy, and Motorcycle Awareness.
One of his prideful accomplishments is he organized Polack's Run To The Wall (YouTube: hundreds roll out for run to the wall motorcycle ride), from 1992-2012, which honored the fallen Vietnam Veterans and the MIA/POW's on Memorial Day. After 2012 he continued to ride to the wall with Rolling Thunder. He was a big advocate for Veterans.
His most prideful accomplishment is being part of a small group of 6 friends (the Committee) and building a custom chopper known as The Wisconsin Hero Bike in honor of the 37 Wisconsin MIA/POW at the time. On Memorial Day in 1995 the Committee took that motorcycle on a trailer to the Vietnam Memorial, rolled it up to the wall, put the kickstand down and walked away (Google: Wisconsin Hero Bike. and/or YouTube: MIA/POW motorcycle left at the wall). It's now at the Smithsonian Museum, to this day the bike hasn't been ridden or sat on.
Ken loved customizing motorcycles and in the 70's co-owned Lurch and Polack MC in Hartford. He built and customized his XLCH chopper to the excellence of entering it into bike shows and winning trophies for Best of Class and Best of Show, for years.
Ken was a proud member of St Luke Lutheran Church and attended Sunday Service when he wasn't camping (which he loved). His family would take up the whole second row in church. After church they would all go to breakfast to his favorite restaurant, The Red Apple. He loved everyone at church, especially Pastor Josh. He enjoyed hunting & fishing and has lots of taxidermies on his walls.
He loved dearly, his Grandchildren and his Great-grandchildren. He also adored his other kids/cats, Smokey and Cinnamon.
Lastly, He was friends with thousands of people and the family wants you all to know he loved and respected you all. We all heard stories, after stories, after stories.
Thank you for loving and respecting him back.
Ken is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marlene Pezewski; children, Tracy (Rick) Schmitt, Michael (significant other, Catherine) Pezewski, Tammy (Tim) Jacak; grandchildren, Jennifer (Dustin) McKay, Jesse (Melissa) Pezewski, Samantha (Greg) Gerlat, Holly (Richard) Wiese, Brenden Pezewski; great grandchildren, Abigail, Dustin, Kinslee, Kylee, Grayson, Oliver, Mason, Jaida, Gavin; step - grandchildren, Hannah, Steven, Tanner, Brianna; sister, Amber Folsom; sisters-in-law, Kay Stefan and Barbara Van Houten. He is further survived by other loved family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Virginia Pezewski; siblings, Leonard, Wayne, Scottie, Kimberley, Valorie, and Melony.
Memorial contributions to Ken's family are sincerely appreciated. Funeral Services for Ken will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church (4860 Arthur Rd., Slinger, WI 53086). Family will greet relatives and friends from 12:00 p.m. until the start of service at 4:00 p.m. Further food and fellowship will be held at church after the service.