Joseph Frank Nesladek was born in Chamberlain, SD on Feb. 3, 1940 to Frank and Julia (Macha) Nesladek of Pukwana. He spent the first six years of his life on the farm south of Pukwana in Richland Township. He faithfully served as an altar boy at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Pukwana. In 1946, the family moved into Pukwana. Joe attended school at Pukwana graduating from Pukwana High School in 1960. He was homecoming king in 1959. Following high school, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in Germany from 1960 until 1963 where he learned the trade of mechanics. In July 1966, he received his Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army.
On May 21, 1966, Joe was united in marriage to Colleen Johnson at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain. To this union, five children were born Mark, Tina, Jonathan, James, and Jolene.
Joe worked on the Big Bend Dam Project and also on the Interstate Project. He was employed at the Chamberlain Ford Garage as a mechanic and later at United Auto Parts in Chamberlain until 1986 when he opened his own shop known as Joe’s Automotive Machine Shop. In 2014, Joe retired from the shop.
Joe built motors for his nephew’s race car. He enjoyed watching lawn mower races and high school boys basketball. He loved when his grandchildren would come visit. He enjoyed doing yard and garden work and was very proud of his yard. Joe liked listening to polka music and watching Polka Party on TV. He also liked going to Czech Days in Tabor each year.
He served as chairman of the Chamberlain City Planning Commission and was an honorary member of the Chamberlain Knights of Columbus Council. Joe was a member of St. James Catholic Church and served as an usher for several years.
Joe passed away on October 25, 2016 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls at the age of 76 years.
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