Donald Joseph Novak

Donald Joseph Novak, 93, of Waterloo, passed away Friday, September 9, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 16, 1929, in Chelsea, IA, the son of Joseph and Mary Mutula Novak. Don married Dorothy Schmelzer on June 2, 1956, in West Union and to this union, the couple was blessed with six children.

Don worked at John Deere prior to entering the US Army in 1951. Upon leaving the Army he attended school to be a barber. After discovering that this would not allow him to support his family, Don returned to Deere finishing his career as a welder in 1987.

Don loved to garden. He spent countless hours in his garden growing flowers and vegetables. He and Dorothy spent almost every day exercising at the YMCA and he was an avid runner having completed many marathons. Don loved to sing and served St. Edward Catholic Church as a communion minister and by singing in the choir. He raised plants for the annual Fall Festival at St. Edwards for 20 years, as well as being part of the Intercity Prayer Group.

Perhaps the one event that changed Don forever was the death of his parents and siblings Richard and Margaret in a car-train accident in 1941. As a result of this, family was important to Don. This single event made him stronger emotionally and developed a Christian faith that sustained him through difficult times. Don was a giving man who would give you everything he had and was thankful for those who did things for him. You could count on Don.

Don is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy, of Waterloo; children, Steve (Sarah) Novak of Waterloo, Ann Marie (Larry) Herzog of Waterloo, Margaret (Reed) Johnson of West Des Moines, David Novak of Raymond, and Rosemary (Lyndon) Wichers of Lincoln, NE; eleven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and his cat, Tiger. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark, and siblings Richard, Jerome, Bernard, and Margaret.