Rev. Edward L. NOVAK

MANDSAGER, NOVAK, HAYCRAFT, OLSON, FLORES, STOCKWELL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:02

Reverend Edward L. Novak
December 17, 1933 ---- June 24, 2022

On June 24, 2022, Reverend Edward L. Novak passed away to the waiting arms of his Lord and Savior. Ed was born in Omaha, Nebraska on December 17, 1933, the son of Sena (Mandsager) and Edward John Novak. In 1946, his family, including his two brothers Gene and Bob Haycraft, moved to Eagle Grove, Iowa. While in Eagle Grove, Ed participated in plays, operettas, vocal and musical ensembles and thrived in football, track and academics.

However, the highlight of moving to Eagle Grove was meeting the love of his life, Lorene (Olson) Novak whom he married on August 27, 1955. After high school, Ed attended Eagle Grove Junior College and graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota in 1955. Ed attended Luther Theological Seminary and upon graduation in 1959 began his life- long commitment of serving his Lord and Savior. After seminary Pastor Ed served his internship at Central Lutheran Church in Spokane, Washington. His first call was to the three-point parishes of Flaxville, Montana; Zion, Pleasant Prairie, and American Lutheran. In 1963, Pastor Ed became the organizing pastor for Atonement Lutheran in Billings Heights, Montana, where he served until 1968. In 1968, Pastor Ed was called to First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he served as Associate and Senior Pastor until 1975. From 1975-1980 Pastor Ed served the congregation of First Lutheran Church in Glasgow, Montana. In 1980, Pastor Ed and Lorene accepted a call to St. Peter Lutheran in Dubuque, Iowa, where he served until his retirement in 1998. After retirement, Ed and Lorene moved to New Brighton, Minnesota in 1998 where Pastor Ed once again accepted the call to ministry and served as Visitation Pastor for Christ the King Lutheran Church.

Throughout their lives, Ed and Lorene not only served the local parish but were always active members of each community by serving on various boards and civic organizations. In 2007 Ed was diagnosed with a mild form of dementia. Until his passing, Ed dealt with his progressive illness with acceptance, humor and ultimately relied upon his life-long partner, Lorene, to meet his basic needs with loving care and kindness. Ed was a leader, a father, a faithful husband, grandfather, great-grandfather and ultimately a faithful servant of the Lord. His life's work was dedicated to promoting equality and justice. During his long and fulfilling life, Ed enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, swimming, his golden retrievers, and travelling. Most importantly, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Lorene, whom he loved unconditionally, his daughters Heidi (Joseph) Flores, Karin (Clint) Stockwell and his son, Nathan (Julie) Novak, his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A celebration of Ed's life will take place on July 30, 2022 at 11:00 am (Central) at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota with visitation starting at 9:30 a.m. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel.

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