Eugene "Gene" Franklin Novak
August 2, 1934 — June 3, 2024
Eugene “Gene” Franklin Novak, 89, fell asleep in death on June 3, 2024, at Summit Pointe Memory Care in Marion, Iowa, from declining health. Friends are invited to an informal gathering on Thursday, June 6, 2024, between 3:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Eagle Ridge Club House located at 1285 Red Fox Way in Marion (next to Culver’s). Burial will take place at a later date at National Cemetery in Vining, Iowa in Tama County.
Gene was born on August 2, 1934, in Chelsea, Iowa, to Emil and Gladys Novak. After graduation, he started his work career at Collins Radio, where he remained until his retirement in 1990. Gene met Joyce Lacher of Marengo, Iowa, in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa, outside the Danceland Ballroom. They were married on July 25, 1953. Together, they had four daughters. In 1969, Gene relocated his family to an acreage south of Springville, Iowa. Gene loved to garden, raise animals, bowl, fish, golf, play cards, sing, and dance! After his retirement, Gene traveled all over the U.S., playing on a senior basketball team and received many awards. He wintered in Arizona for many years, until his health prevented him from making the trip.
Gene is survived and lovingly remembered by his four daughters, Deb Novak, Dee Nunemaker, and Dawn Anderson of Marion, and Dori (Mike) Nickell of Atkins, Iowa; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Darrell) Betzer, Jay Nunemaker, Jill (Eric) Sells, Julie Nunemaker, Brent (Brooke) Anderson, and Drew (Taylor) Nickell; and seven great-grandchildren, Annadee and Jayelee Betzer, Michael and Caroline Anderson, and Kinnick, Karlee, and Kahne Nickell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Elaine Fetter; ex-wife, Joyce Novak; and son-in-law, Ted Nunemaker Jr.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff at Summit Pointe. Also, to St. Croix Hospice for their exceptional care and support.
We all look forward to the time when sickness and death will be no more! (Revelation 21:3,4)
Gene was born on August 2, 1934, in Chelsea, Iowa, to Emil and Gladys Novak. After graduation, he started his work career at Collins Radio, where he remained until his retirement in 1990. Gene met Joyce Lacher of Marengo, Iowa, in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa, outside the Danceland Ballroom. They were married on July 25, 1953. Together, they had four daughters. In 1969, Gene relocated his family to an acreage south of Springville, Iowa. Gene loved to garden, raise animals, bowl, fish, golf, play cards, sing, and dance! After his retirement, Gene traveled all over the U.S., playing on a senior basketball team and received many awards. He wintered in Arizona for many years, until his health prevented him from making the trip.
Gene is survived and lovingly remembered by his four daughters, Deb Novak, Dee Nunemaker, and Dawn Anderson of Marion, and Dori (Mike) Nickell of Atkins, Iowa; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Darrell) Betzer, Jay Nunemaker, Jill (Eric) Sells, Julie Nunemaker, Brent (Brooke) Anderson, and Drew (Taylor) Nickell; and seven great-grandchildren, Annadee and Jayelee Betzer, Michael and Caroline Anderson, and Kinnick, Karlee, and Kahne Nickell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Elaine Fetter; ex-wife, Joyce Novak; and son-in-law, Ted Nunemaker Jr.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff at Summit Pointe. Also, to St. Croix Hospice for their exceptional care and support.
We all look forward to the time when sickness and death will be no more! (Revelation 21:3,4)
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