Arthur Francis NOWACK

NOWACK, DUITSMAN, JAESCHKE, HOFFMAN, PARROTT, REED

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/28/2010 at 09:30:20

July 31, 2010
Fort Dodge Messenger, Iowa

POCAHONTAS, IA - A. Francis Nowack, 80, of Pocahontas, passed away on July 29 at the Pocahontas Community Hospital. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 2, at the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Pocahontas with Pastor Luther Thoresen officiating. Burial will be in Washington Cemetery at Havelock. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug.1 at Powers Funeral Home in Pocahontas.

Arthur Francis Nowack was born on December 1, 1929, near Havelock, the son of Arthur and Jennie (Duitsman) Nowack. Francis was educated at Fonda and Havelock, graduating from Havelock High School. He graduated from Buena Vista College. Francis also attended Drake University and UNI. On October 22, 1950, he married Berniece Jaeschke at Farnhamville. The couple made their home near Havelock. Francis worked at Fullerton Lumber and later for C.I. Hersom Construction Co. After he finished his college education, Francis taught school at DMT, Boone Valley of Renwick, Newell Providence and later at Denver, Iowa. In 1974, Francis moved to Pocahontas to teach, retiring in 1980. After he retired, he worked for Watters Appliance, Ahlrich Cabinets and was also a bus driver for MIDAS for 17 years.

Francis was an active member of St. Peter Lutheran, having served on the church council, in the choir, the Brotherhood and Fellowship and was a Sunday school teacher. He was also a member of the Pocahontas Golf Club and the Old Timers League. Some memories after 25 years of coaching include watching his DMT girls win the Jr-High County Tournament (1958). In 1962, girls track was a new sport in Iowa. In 1963, his 440-team at Newell-Providence was one of six teams nominated to participate in the Drake Relays. This was the first time women had done this. The chaperone, Mrs. Nowack was unable to sit with the squad in the coaches section as no women were allowed. Francis was instrumental in initiating the track and softball programs in Newell and track and summer softball in Denver. He became well known in coaching circles. His teams performed in clinics demonstrating their techniques in defense. During his term at Pocahontas, he saw the Pocahontas girls go to state three times in softball. They placed second in the fall of 1976, losing to Urbandale in a game played in the rain, snow showers and 28 degree temperatures.

He enjoyed his family and grandchildren, band music, gardening, sports, politics and was an avid golfer. Survivors include his wife: Berniece; children: David (Gloria) Nowack of Jefferson City, MO, Sandra (Mark) Hoffman of Centerville, Steven Nowack of Denver, IA, Cheryl Nowack of Excelsior Springs, MO, Debra (Brian) Parrott of Iowa City, Angela (Roger) Reed of Ruthven and Philip (Sarah) Nowack of Fort Atkinson; 12 grandchildren; one step-great-granddaughter and brother, Gaylord (Rose) Nowack of Denver. Francis' parents preceded him in death.