Marilyn Joan (Strathman) Novak

Marilyn J. Novak, age 85, of Ridgeway, IA, died on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus in Rochester, MN. 

Mass of Christian Burial for Marilyn will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 11:30 a.m., at the Notre Dame Parish with Father Jacob Rouse officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:30 a.m. prior to the start of the service, with burial at Calvary Cemetery in Cresco, IA.  

Marilyn Joan Novak was born on June 22, 1937 to Frank and Monica (Posakony) Strathman in Fort Dodge, IA.  In 1940, they moved as a family to Cresco, IA, where Marilyn graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1955 as valedictorian of her class.  Marilyn met Allan Novak at St. Josephs Parish in Cresco, where she played the organ and Allan sang in the choir.  They later married at St. Josephs on November 25, 1958.  Together they moved north of Ridgeway where they farmed for over 40 years. 

She had a passion for music; she devoted much of her life to the church where she played organ and piano for hundreds of weddings, funerals, and every holiday. She was a member of the St. Joseph/Notre Dame Parish, St. Joseph/Notre Dame Choir (where she was an organist and pianist for over 60 years), the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #135, as well as the hospital auxiliary.  Marilyn also formed the Funeral Choir at St. Josephs Parish, which is now Notre Dame.

Marilyn loved her family deeply. She made every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild feel like they were her absolute favorite. She loved going out to the casino and going on bus trips. She was a champion playing Words with Friends, defeating most everyone that challenged her!  Her favorite place was being home on the farm.  

Marilyn is survived by her children Steve (Ruth) Novak, Cresco, IA, Ann Novak, Ankeny, IA, Brian Novak, Rochester, MN, Kirk (Deb) Novak, Ridgeway, IA, and Lisa (Dan) Saddler, Dubuque, IA; grandchildren Jeremy Brandt, Sarah (Jake Miller) Brandt, Savana (Mitch) Kriener, Truman (Angie Hall) Novak, Megan (Casey) Bauer, Evan Saddler, Elli (Austin) Kloewer, Emma Saddler; great grandchildren Lucas Brandt, Graclyn Brandt, Jacob Miller, Demi Novak, Scarlet Novak, Baby Novak on the way, Elleana Kriener, Juliet Kriener, Maci Bauer, Tarron Bauer; and siblings Carol Strathman, Frank (Barb) Strathman, and Jan (Ron) Sebastian, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Allan, her parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Della Novak, and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dale and Joyce Schissel.

Our family would like to thank the staff at RHSHC, Regional Home Health, Evans Memorial Home, and Mayo Clinic, St. Marys Campus for their outstanding care and compassion.

Memorials may be left to the Notre Dame New Life Choir Music Department.

Online condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com

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