Joe Novak, 87, died on Monday, August 8, 2005 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 13, 2005 at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Tim McGee presiding. Burial will be in St. Bernards Catholic Cemetery in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday, August 12, 2005 at the Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service on Friday evening and at the church one hour prior to services on Saturday.

Joseph Stanley Novak was born on May 7, 1918 in Greenbush, MN, the son of Frank J. and Mary (Janousek) Novak. At the age of three his mother died and Joe was raised by his grandmother, Angeline Janousek, on the family farm, near Greenbush, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and attended Haug-Leo Country School near Greenbush.

Joe was united in marriage on December 11, 1975 to Loretta Henrickson McAdams. The couple made their home in Greenbush. Joe farmed his entire life until selling the farm in 1981 and they moved to rural Thief River Falls. Loretta died on December 10, 1986. Joe married Eunice Ruud Severts in September of 1989 at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Thief River Falls. Eunice and Joe made their home in Thief River Falls.

He enjoyed reading, collecting miniature John Deere Tractors, collecting coins and gardening, and with his love to garden Joe would haul slips of Geraniums with them to Texas for the winter. Eunice and Joe wintered in Mission, Texas for 12 years. Joe was also a strong Democrat.

He was a member of St. Bernards Catholic Church, the coin club, Eagles and Sons of Norway.

Joe is survived by his wife, Eunice of Thief River Falls, MN; six step children: Gene (Kathy) Henrickson of St. Paul, MN, George (Ervin) Henrickson of Strandquist, MN, Connie (Walter) Leach of Holt, MN, Darell (Karen) Severts of Grygla, MN, Janis (Dwight) Peterson of Warren, MN and Jean Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN; 21 step grandchildren; 29 step great grandchildren; and numerous step great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; his first wife, Loretta; two stepsons, Harlan Henrickson and Neil Henrickson and step grandson, Andy Johnson.