Foley, Minnesota
Douglas “Duke” Novak, age 82, of Foley, passed away peacefully at his home with his family at his side Nov. 19, 2024. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Gilman. The Rev. Kenneth Popp and the Rev. Matthew Langager will con-celebrate and burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Visitation was Nov. 25 at the church in Gilman and will continue at the church on Tuesday. The Gilman Knights of Columbus prayed the rosary and parish prayers were Monday at the church. The Fr. Pierz Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard. Service with Dignity provided by the Foley Funeral Home.
Douglas Edward Novak was born Dec. 15, 1941, in Minneapolis, to Edward and Pauline (Kantor) Novak. He graduated from Foley High School, class of 1959. He married Johnelle Popp Feb. 19, 1962, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Rice. In his early years, Doug drove truck for Petters Construction, worked at the Verso Paper Mill in Sartell and eventually built and owned and operated Gold’n Plump chicken barns and farmed in Benton County. Doug also drove school bus for the Foley School District for several years and worked construction with his sons. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed hunting, fishing, especially ice fishing, cutting wood, gardening and enjoying time outdoors. In his retirement years, he made numerous wood projects for his children and grandchildren. Doug was involved for many years in the Knights of Columbus, Immaculate Mary Council 9261 in Gilman, where he held many positions and was the financial secretary for over 30 years. He was also a longtime member of the Fr. Pierz Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He taught faith formation, and was a past member of the St. John’s Area School Board. He was a man of deep faith and had a special devotion for the Holy Mother, Mary and St. Joseph. Doug enjoyed polka music, liked to sing in Polish, dancing and was a very active family man. The most important thing to Doug was his faith and his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church where he was an usher for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Johnelle of Foley, and their children, Roseann (Jim) Moeller of St. Cloud, Mark (Marilyn) of Cross Lake, Anita (Jeffrey) Rahm of Foley, Dale of Aitkin, Linnea (Scott) Otto of Milaca, Lorine (Bill) Welborn of St. Michael, Eric of Gilman, Aaron (Heather) of Hillman, Rhonda (Rob) Stay of Foley, Sarah (Mike) Gadacz of Foley, Theresa (David) Lieser of Rice; 44 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters, Michelle (Tom) Kieffer of Morrill, Joel Marie (Scott) Neubert of St. Cloud; sister-in-law, Mary Novak; and brothers-in-laws, Harold Popp and Adi Zistl. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Maxine Popp; brothers, James and Charles; and a grandson, Trayce Otto.
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