Frank Michael Novak
September 30, 1924 — January 3, 2009
Frank Michael Novak, 84, formerly of 24 26th Avenue S.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Saturday, January 03, 2009, in the Hiawatha Care Center, Hiawatha, Iowa, following a brief illness. Services: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at St. Ludmila’s Catholic Church, in Cedar Rapids, by Father Tom McDermott. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, where a vigil service will begin at 5:00 p.m. and a Rosary service at 7:45 p.m. Burial: St. John’s Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include six children, Michael (Mary), Mary Kay (Pat) McGrath, Janet (Tom) Kleopfer, Jim (Susan), Dennis (Heather Hapgood) Novak all of Cedar Rapids, and Tom (Betty) Novak of Marion; 18 grandchildren, Heather Larson, Matt, Tony, Kyle, Adam, Sydney, Natalie, Olivia, Avery, Van, Carver and Levi Novak, Lindsay, Gavin, Jaymie McGrath, Chad, Casey, Chase Kleopfer; two great grandchildren, Logan Larson and Michael Novak.
Also surviving are his sister, Mary Hruska; brother, Dick (Dawn) Novak; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wives; parents; and a sister, Rose Barber.
Frank was born September 30, 1924, on a farm south of Cedar Rapids, the son of Mike and Mary (Shetlik) Novak. He graduated from St. Ludmila’s School. He worked on the farm with his dad and helped neighboring farmers as well.
Frank married Eileen Krumm on April 14, 1945, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. They enjoyed 45 wonderful years together. She died on April 19, 1989. Frank married Maxine Travis on August 28, 1992. She died December 6, 2007.
Frank built his first Model A at age 14 and was in the automobile service station business for 50 years. He operated Novak’s Standard Service, Airport 66, F and R Gulf and Novak’s Sinclair. In 1960 he and Eileen moved to Albia, Iowa, and owned a Coast to Coast store for a number of years, returning to Cedar Rapids in 1967. He and Eileen then owned Novak’s 66, Novak’s Skelly and Novak’s Texaco. Frank retired in 1989. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, listening to Czech music and spending time with his family.
Frank was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend and he will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
Survivors include six children, Michael (Mary), Mary Kay (Pat) McGrath, Janet (Tom) Kleopfer, Jim (Susan), Dennis (Heather Hapgood) Novak all of Cedar Rapids, and Tom (Betty) Novak of Marion; 18 grandchildren, Heather Larson, Matt, Tony, Kyle, Adam, Sydney, Natalie, Olivia, Avery, Van, Carver and Levi Novak, Lindsay, Gavin, Jaymie McGrath, Chad, Casey, Chase Kleopfer; two great grandchildren, Logan Larson and Michael Novak.
Also surviving are his sister, Mary Hruska; brother, Dick (Dawn) Novak; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wives; parents; and a sister, Rose Barber.
Frank was born September 30, 1924, on a farm south of Cedar Rapids, the son of Mike and Mary (Shetlik) Novak. He graduated from St. Ludmila’s School. He worked on the farm with his dad and helped neighboring farmers as well.
Frank married Eileen Krumm on April 14, 1945, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. They enjoyed 45 wonderful years together. She died on April 19, 1989. Frank married Maxine Travis on August 28, 1992. She died December 6, 2007.
Frank built his first Model A at age 14 and was in the automobile service station business for 50 years. He operated Novak’s Standard Service, Airport 66, F and R Gulf and Novak’s Sinclair. In 1960 he and Eileen moved to Albia, Iowa, and owned a Coast to Coast store for a number of years, returning to Cedar Rapids in 1967. He and Eileen then owned Novak’s 66, Novak’s Skelly and Novak’s Texaco. Frank retired in 1989. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, listening to Czech music and spending time with his family.
Frank was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend and he will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
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