Douglas ‘Duke’ Novak, age 82 of Foley passed away peacefully at his home with his family at his side on Nov. 19, 2024. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Gilman. Rev. Kenneth Popp and Rev. Matthew Langager will con-celebrate and burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, Nov. 25th at the church in Gilman and will continue from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church on Tuesday. The Gilman Knights of Columbus will pray the Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and parish prayers will be at 7:30 p.m., 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, Minnesota to Edward and Pauline (Kantor) Novak. He graduated from Foley High School, class of 1959. He married Johnelle Popp on 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 Golden 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 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 long time 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 SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church where he was an usher for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Johnelle, Foley and their children: Roseann (Jim) Moeller, St. Cloud; Mark (Marilyn), Cross Lake; Anita (Jeffrey) Rahm, Foley; Dale, Aitkin; Linnea (Scott) Otto, Milaca; Lorine (Bill) Welborn, St. Michael; Eric, Gilman; Aaron (Heather), Hillman; Rhonda (Rob) Stay, Foley; Sarah (Mike) Gadacz, Foley; Theresa (David) Lieser, Rice, 44 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, sisters, Michelle (Tom) Kieffer, Morrill, Joel Marie (Scott) Neubert, 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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