Jeanne LaMae Polasky, 68, Michigan , ND, died at 4:36 a.m. June 4, 2009 in her home after a battle with a long illness.

Jeanne was born August 8, 1940 in McVille , ND , the daughter of Paul & Alma (Christianson) Severson. She attended a 1 – room school house close to her rural home. She boarded in McVille to attend high school and graduated in 1957. Jeanne attended Mayville College and earned her teaching certificate. Jeanne enjoyed teaching grades K – 8 in a 1 – room school house near Jamestown .

  During this time, on a blind date, she met the love of her life, Alfred Polasky, Tappen , ND . After a whirlwind courtship, Jeanne agreed to marry Alfred on June 23, 1962 in Tappen , ND .

After the birth of their first child, Jeanne and Al attended Josef's Beauty School in Fargo . While she worked in this trade she gave birth to her second child. Soon after this Jeanne & Al decided to go on an adventure and moved to California . They spent 2 years there but realized they belonged back in North Dakota with family.

Jeanne and her young family moved back to Fargo where they lived for 5 years. Jeanne & Al lived in various places in North Dakota and finally decided to purchase her parents farm in 1973, where they began dairy farming. She ended where she began.

Jeanne was a gentle and artistic woman. Even with her 8 children, milking cows, gardening, canning, cooking, and keeping house, she always found time for her painting (oils were her medium) and photography. Later in life, when her illness would not allow her much physical activity, she enjoyed her puzzles and word searches.

Jeanne was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren. She loved having them with her. She had a silly sense of humor that everyone appreciated.

Jeanne is survived by her husband Alfred and her 8 children and 5 grandchildren: Kari Presler (Paul), Mandan, ND; Julie Stites (Brian), Anahuac, TX; Kathy Olson (Ron), Fargo, ND; Srgt. 1 st Class Timothy Polasky (Dani), Germany; S. Srgt. Thomas Polasky (Tammy), Olympia, WA; Jennifer Polasky, Swalevale, IA; Al Polasky Jr., Fargo, ND; and Adam Polasky, Fargo, ND. Her 5 grandchildren: Kirsten Presler, Stephanie, Tylor & Lexi Olson, and Emily Polasky. 2 brothers: Jerome Severson, McVille , ND and Jim Severson, Las Vegas , NV . 1 sister: Joyce (Ernest) Halseth, Ray , ND .

Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents, Paul & Alma Severson.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Jeanne will be held at St. Lawrence O'Toole Catholic Church, Michigan , ND, on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Celebrating the Mass will be Rev. Fr. John Aerts. Music will be provided by the St. Lawrence O'Toole Church Choir, Dolly Devlin is the organist. Interment will be private at the ND State Veterans Cemetery, Mandan , ND . A rosary and scripture service will be held at the church on Monday, June 8, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.