Norbert (Norb) Novak

Norbert (Norb) L. Novak, 79, Denmark, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of Monday, June 2, 2014 with his family at his side following a short illness. He was born on June 28, 1934 in the Town of Montpelier to Lawrence and Clara (Flegel) Novak. He and his family moved to the Denmark area when he was 8 and that is were he lived his life out. Norb was enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1955 - 1957 serving as a tank commander in Colorado Springs, CO. He married Patricia Mae Schmidt on April 27, 1957 at St. Mary’s Church in Tisch Mills. Patricia preceded him in death on January 21, 2008 after 50 years of marriage. Together they farmed their early years and started their business, Norb’s Auto Salvage in Denmark until his retirement. Norb and Pat also built a beautiful home on Washington Island and raised Christmas trees to be sold throughout the area. He will be missed by his many friends and extended family on the Island. Norb always had fond memories of his hunting trips out West and fishing excursions taken with many family members and friends. He also was an avid card player and enjoyed his trips to the Casino. Norb was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, Denmark. His biggest achievement and joy with Pat, was raising their 11 children, which expanded to 21 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Norb is survived by special friend Polly Keyser, his children: Kathy (Roger) Stein, Denmark, Darlene (Rick) Fink, DePere , Daniel (special friend, Tonia Phillips), Rita (Scott) Collins, Paul (Debbie Wichlacz), Yvonne Novak, Barbara (Chuck) Lefebvre, James (Amy Dobesh) all of Denmark, David (Monica Bares), Ham Lake, MN, Janet (Steve) Miller, Little Chute and Victor (Deanna Bomski) Denmark; grandchildren: Steve (Mollie) Stein, William Stein and Laura (Tom) Busch; Jessica ( Jason Bamman), Jared, Brittany and Sarah Fink; Joshua and Brandon Novak; Kegan (Andrea), Kyle (fiancée Elizabeth Buresch) and Cassandra Collins; Stephanie and Allisha Schlies; Dalton and Shannon Lefebvre; Jacob and Elizabeth Novak; Matthew and Andrew Novak; and Austin Novak; great-grandchildren; Malia and Stevie O’Keefe; Caitlyn, Zachary and Samantha Busch; and Logan, Jaxon, Ava and Cooper Bamman; Sisters and Brothers-in-law, Emily (Marvin) Koslowski, Green Bay, Mary Svoboda, DePere, Doris (Paul) Denissen, DePere, Diane (Pat) Beimborn, Green Bay, Harvey Schmidt, Holmes Beach, FL, Frank Wachowski, Two Rivers, Francis Riha, Tisch Mills, Robert (Joan) Schmidt, Denmark, sisters-in-law, Jeanette Nemetz, Mishicot, Jean Schmidt, Kaukauna, and Mary Schmidt, DePere, numerous nieces and nephews; the Koyen Family on Washington Island and canine friend, Dolly. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; parents, Lawrence and Clara (Flegel) Novak; in-laws, Edward and Helen (Stahl) Schmidt; sisters and brothers-in-law, Gladyce and Leonard Ratajcak, Aileen and Robert Nemetz; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; Laverne (Joe) Bangart, Jeanette Wachowski, Truman Schmidt, Duane (Lorraine) Schmidt, Merle (Charlotte) Schmidt, Adolph (Butch) (Lorraine) Schmidt, Ruth Schmidt, Ardyce Riha, Arnold Schmidt, Carol Sloma; nephews, Ray, Ronald and Alan Bangart, Don Wachowski, and John Sloma and great niece, Michelle Bangart. Family and friends may call Friday, June 6, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Knutson-Cotter Funeral Home, 536 Cty. R, Denmark. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Saturday, June 7, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. until the procession leaves for All Saints Catholic Church in Denmark. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2014 at church, with Fr. Ron Colombo officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors. Online condolences may be expressed at cotterfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank Dr. Tom Zenner and Dr. Kurt Kurowski from Bellin Health, Bellin Home Health, Unity Hospice and nursing staff, special family friend, Michelle Wegner and especially to Polly for the past five years of companionship given to Dad. You have been an angel in disguise to our family.