George Nicholas Novak was born November 14, 1925 at Shible Township, Swift County, Minnesota to Vince and Rose (Rudnick) Novak. He was baptized at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Holloway, MN. As a young child, his family moved to a farm near Winsted, MN and then to Kingston, MN. Here he spent his early years learning to hunt, fish, and farm. George enlisted in the Army and was sent to the Philippine Islands, Okinawa, and South Korea. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and other medals. After being discharged from the military, he went to Odessa to be with his Mother and younger siblings. This is where he met his life partner, Virginia Schulte. They were married at Highland Park Lutheran Church in St. Paul on September 27, 1947. George and Virginia (Ginny) had four children: Bruce, Kerry, Scott, and Jill. George worked for Delano Granite Company, Odessa Farmers Elevator, Gerber Lumber and Ellingson's Honey House. He was a Volunteer Fire Fighter, VFW member and American Legion member. George served on the Odessa City Council and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Odessa, where he had his confirmation in 1950. He loved to hunt, fish, bowl, golf, and was a renowned baseball pitcher. He was a "competitive" card player and loved "Wii" games. George found great pleasure in gardening- his radishes were the best! The grandkids helped Grandpa George plant his potatoes. He also enjoyed playing BINGO and doing jigsaw puzzles. The Minnesota Vikings, the Twins, and the Golden Gophers were all special to George!! He and Ginny lived in the same house for 58 years. It was lovingly called "Our Shack by the Railroad Track." One of George's most memorable quotes was to tell an overactive grandchild to "Go play on the railroad track" (we know he didn't really mean it). He was a man who said what he thought. George was a kind man with a big heartthe Best Dad ever. George was called from this life on September 12, 2014. He had attained 88 years, 9 months, and 28 days of age. George is sadly missed by his wife of 66+ years, Virginia of Appleton; sons: Bruce Novak of Odessa and Scott Novak of Ortonville; daughter, Jill (Bob) Mason of Eagle Lake; daughter-in-law, Georgia Novak of Indianapolis, IN; three grandchildren: Kristin (Ken) Bylsma, Alex and Amanda Hunt; step-grandchildren: Andrew and Brittany Mason; one great-grandchild, Kaitlyn Bylsma; brothers: Art Novak of Ortonville, Paul (Kaye) Novak of St. Cloud; sisters: Jo Novak of Anoka, Florence (Odell) Olson of Brooklyn Park, Grace Hegstrom of Chaska; brothers and sisters-in-law: Darlene Novak, Gerald and Adeline Leland, Gene Schulte, Janice Comelio, Paul Blahosky numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Kerry Dean Novak; parents Vince and Rose Novak; brothers: Clemence and Clyde Novak; sisters: Frances Christensen Janssen and Jennie Klima. Rest in peace- we will meet again in Heaven!!
