Blanche L. Novak
Blanche L. Novak
CRYSTAL FALLS — Blanche L. Novak, 93, of Victorian Heights in Crystal Falls, formerly of Camp Lake in Stambaugh Township, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, at Aspirus Iron River Hospital.
Blanche was born on Feb. 21, 1926, in Iron River, the daughter of the late Walter and Blanche (Bertrand) Dowsey. She attended the local schools, graduating from Iron River High School with the Class of 1943. While raising her five children, she was employed as a billing clerk at Iron County General Hospital and later as a secretary at D.A. McPherson.
Blanche married George J. Novak on Nov. 27, 1944, in Jacksonville, Fla. The couple made their home in Caspian for 30 years before moving to their Camp Lake residence. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in 2002, before George preceded her in death on Sept. 29, 2003.
She was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian and was active in the St. Agnes Home and School Association. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed the outdoors.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Gene in 1990; sisters, Susan Bailey, Rosemary Bergin and Jean Little; and brother, Walter Dowsey.
Blanche is survived by her daughters, Mary (Art) Hebert of Stambaugh Township, Jacqueline (Terry) King of Pinconning, Patricia Gail Novak of Bradenton, Fla., and Elizabeth Novak of Haslett; daughter-in-law, Jeanne (Dan) Smith of Fond du Lac, Wis.; brother, Paul Dowsey of Spanish Fort, Ala.; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian, with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. The Ladies of St. Anne’s Society will form an honor guard at the service.
Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery, Iron River, at a later date.
The family suggests memorials be made to the West Iron District Library.
Condolences may be expressed to the family of Blanche L. Novak online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com.
Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.