Janet A. Kowalski

Janet A. Kowalski (nee Polaske) received her heavenly reward on August 24, 2026, at the age of 95.

Preceded in death by her parents Walter and Alice Polaske, mother Gertrude Polaske, sister Elaine Williams, brother-in-law Ted Williams, father-in-law John, mother-in-law Julia and stepmother-in-law Marie.

Survived by her devoted husband Dr. Robert Kowalski of 72 years. (She passed just 4 days short of the start of their 73rd year in marriage.) Caring and loving mom of children Carol (Mike) Fischer, Kathy (Skip) Anderson, Dr. Ken (Lisa) Kowalski, Barb (Ed) Gumieny and Julie (Dave) Schnittka. Proud grandma of Jenny (Gary) Dorff, Nick (Bailey) Kowalski, Dr. AJ (Dr. Reema) Kowalski, Robert (Courtney) Anderson, Jenna (Luis) Olmos, Tony (fiancée Jeanette Cremshaw) Gumieny, Dr. Annie (Connor) Matthias, Dr. Emma Schnittka and Alexa Schnittka. Great-grandma of Brianna and Connor Dorff, Leah and Logan Kowalski, Adelyn Jae Anderson, Iris and Camila Olmos, Elsie Wilk, and Maxine and Edward “Teddy” Matthias. Further survived by many other relatives and friends.

Mom was steadfast in her devotion to our family. Sundays and holidays were for big family dinners and cookouts (complete with dessert for the grandkids even when they weren’t members of the Clean Plate Club), significant wedding anniversaries inspired family trips to Door County and Mexico, birthdays were sure to involve a call from both Mom and Dad serenading you with “Happy Birthday”, Christmas Eve meant mass and the playing of “The Polar Express” tape recording around the tree and just about every day included Cribbage games with Dad, us kids or any grandkids who stopped by. (Mom was one of the luckiest people and constantly seemed to beat everyone.) She loved all kinds of card games (especially Sheepshead and Rummy 500) and was a whiz at crossword puzzles and the “Wheel of Fortune”.

Mom’s unwavering faith was an inspiration to many and a Catholic education for us kids was important to both her and Dad. A mass was rarely missed, rosaries filled Mom’s drawers and religious trinkets adorned her kitchen counter, where she spent many hours cooking meals for us and extended family. Mom saved the prayer cards from every funeral she attended and would pray for the souls that had passed on. We’re counting on her good standing as a loyal servant of Christ to get us into the Pearly Gates with little examination.

Mom loved a parade, attending several Harley events and even participating in the Circus Parade with Dad in full costume (and getting shown on TV!). She put her patriotism on display with flag-bearing July Fourth marches around the yard alongside the grandkids to the tunes of John Philip Sousa, and she was known to shed a tear or two when “God Bless America” was played at mass.

Mom and Dad were the loves of each other’s lives. Grandkids have vivid memories of Grandpa saying, “Janet, the love of my life, the mother of my children. I’ll love you forever!” (She may have not responded positively to that sentiment when he was being “helpful” one Thanksgiving by turning off the oven with the uncooked turkey inside.) Mom and Dad met at the age of 15 when they were both taking out the garbage in their abutting backyards. Although shy, Mom boldly asked Dad to go to a party, and the rest is history. They created a beautiful life together as they built Dad’s successful dental practice (with Mom as the bookkeeper), raised 5 kids, traveled the world with friends and set an exemplary example of what it means to live out the marriage vow of “until death do you part”. Dad was an incredible caregiver to Mom in her later years as dementia sometimes stole the person we loved with all our hearts. But she was certain to perk up when the great grandbabies came around and was eager to color with them and to hold them in her loving arms.

Not only did Mom tend to us kids and Dad, but she was also the selfless caregiver of her mother Gert as well as her aunties, never asking for anything in return. She cared for them because that’s what you do, not just for family but for people in general. Mom always found the good in everyone, and simple pleasures were the best. She needed no extravagances and was humble and modest. Her gentle spirit and warm heart will always be remembered.

We’d like to thank the staff at Congregational Home for their care of Mom these past years. Also, thank you to Jody from San Camilla Hospice for tending to Mom in her final days.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church (1755 N. Calhoun Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005) from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Private interment at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum in Milwaukee.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation, Dementia Society of America and St. John Vianney Catholic Church, if desired.