Obituary for Michael “Mike” S. Polk After a valiant 6 year battle with metastatic colorectal cancer, Mike, age 65, of Lakeville (formerly Hastings), MN and Naples, FL passed away at home peacefully on August 28th, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lester Polk and Patricia Marie Polk (Johnson); father-in-law, John David (Jack) Little. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Kathy; loving children, Jesse Polk (Sarah), Lauren Tix (Bill), Rachel Parker (Dustin); devoted sister, Lisa Ann Fry (Natt); 7 grandchildren, Brantley, Grayson, Kasen, Tori, Jarrett, Jaylah, and Baby Parker due in Nov 2018; mother-in-law, Dorothy Little; niece and many nephews.
Mike married the love of his life, Kathy, on May 12th, 1984. Mike and Kathy had a relationship that represented unconditional love that didn’t go unnoticed. They shared many memories together that will forever be in our hearts.
Mike attended Drake University (Des Moines, IA) on a full football scholarship, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration with Highest Distinction. He attended William Mitchell College of Law, graduating in January 1979 with a J.D. Cum Laude. Upon graduation from William Mitchell College he became an attorney practicing personal injury law at the law firm of Sieben, Polk, P.A., consisting of 12 lawyers, located in Hastings, MN.
He specialized in civil litigation representing plaintiffs in personal liability, wrongful death and mass tort/complex litigation cases. Mike was involved in the Dakota County and Minnesota State Bar Associations. He was a board member of the Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association and a past board member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Mike was involved in the Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota and was a member of the National College of Trial Advocacy. In November, 1986 he was certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a civil trial specialist. Mike has been selected annually since 2000 as a Leading Minnesota Attorney.
He was designated as a “Super Lawyer” according to the publication entitled “Minnesota Law and Politics” in 2000 and thereafter, including several times being designated as one of the top 40 “Super Lawyers”. He was named as one of the “best lawyers in America” by the Martindale Hubbell publication. He was also an adjunct professor of law at William Mitchell College of Law.
Mike was a board member of the Hastings Country Club, including serving as president in 1992. He was the chairman of the Hastings Civic Arena campaign to raise funds to build an additional ice arena in Hastings. He served on the Hastings area YMCA leadership campaign committee responsible for soliciting major donor pledges to build the YMCA building in Hastings.
Participation in school athletics was one of the most joyous times of Mike’s life, helping build lasting friendships and helping him understand the importance of hard work, competitiveness and coordinated teamwork. He was the 1970-1971 recipient of Dave Knudson Memorial Award for Outstanding Athlete (shared with Steve Madson) and was also named to WCCO’s All-State Basketball Team, January 7, 1971. Mike was also inducted into the Northfield High School Hall Of Fame on May 20th, 2007 for his outstanding athletics abilities in multiple sports.
Visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Tuesday, September 4th at Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 10658 210th St W, Lakeville, MN 55044 and also one hour prior to the Celebration of Life to be held at 11am on Wednesday, September 5th, also at Trinity Evangelical Free Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be made by the family in Mike’s name to Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation; St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital; Hastings Family Service; and Trinity Evangelical Free Church of Lakeville. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Michael “Mike” S. Polk please visit our Sympathy Store.
Previous Events Visitation SEP 4. 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Trinity Church 10658 210th St. W. Lakeville, MN, US, 55044 Visitation SEP 5. 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Trinity Church 10658 210th St. W. Lakeville, MN, US, 55044 Funeral Service SEP 5.
11:00 AM Trinity Church 10658 210th St. W. Lakeville, MN, US, 55044 Reception SEP 5.
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