Jaroslaw "Jarek" Slezak, age 70, of Decorah, Iowa, unexpectedly passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at his home in Decorah, Iowa.

Jarek's family will be at T-Bocks from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, and is welcoming anyone who knew Jarek to come share memories and a beer.

Jaroslaw, also known as Jarek, passed away on December 27, 2025, at his home in Decorah, Iowa. As immigrant refugees from communist Poland, Jarek led his family to Decorah on March 30, 1984, and they arrived with two of each (two parents; two little children; and two suitcases) by way of West Germany in pursuit of the American Dream. It was here in Decorah and with the welcoming nature of the Decorah community that Jarek led his family to that divine dream through all his hard work even up until his very last day. Jarek proudly worked his whole career in Decorah at Carlsons, Knife River, and for Bruening's.

Those who knew Jarek understood how he didn’t know anything other than hard work as it was enshrined in his character and nature. Always one to offer a helping hand and one to share his vast knowledge and expertise, he is remembered as a husband, a father, youth sports coach, athlete and a person who knew the meaning of freedom stretching from Poland to the U.S. Heartland here in his beloved Decorah.

In 1979, he married Jolanta who retired in 2025 from Stanley Black & Decker after 30 years. They had two children, Blazej and Jacek. His eldest Blazej is a Colonel for the US Army while his youngest Jacek is one of the leading Aircraft Maintenance Technicians for American Airlines.