Gerald

Novak

Gerald Novak, 78, Pulaski, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, October 12, 2023, at Country Villa Assisted Living in Pulaski, with his family at his side. The son of Edward and Jeanette (Riederer) Novak was born April 4, 1945, in Manitowoc and was a graduate of Reedsville High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree after attending Manitowoc Teachers College and Lakeland College, and his master’s degree in School Administration from UW-Milwaukee.

On August 5, 1967, Gerald married Mary Kiel, and she passed away July 14, 1978. Mary was an extraordinarily loving wife and mother. Jerry mourned her until the end of his own life and is now reunited with her. On November 29, 1979, Jerry married Paula Boland, who is a loving and adoring wife and mother.

What's the Matter?

Jerry began his teaching career at St. Francis Cabrini School in West Bend. He also taught at Cedarburg and St. Mary’s in Port Washington. He served as Principal at Hartland School, Brillion, State Road Elementary School in La Crosse, and then worked at Franklin Middle School in Green Bay until his retirement in 2010. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in West Bend, The Brillion Optimist Club, and participated in the Student Exchange Program, welcoming exchange students into the family home. He was a member of Sts. Edward & Isidore Parish in Flintville, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. He also enjoyed whittling and golfing, was a history buff, and built his own log home.

Jerry loved, adored, and was proud of his children. He spent much leisure time with his family: camping, kayaking, reading, and doing projects around the house. He so enjoyed just hanging out with them. He taught them valuable lessons, which included volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. He managed to instill a tremendous work ethic in all his children. He was a loving, devoted, and forgiving husband. Losing him will leave a void that will never be filled; a grief that will never fade.

Survivors include his wife, Paula; his children: Peter, Thomas (Elizabeth), Jordan, Damien (Nicole), Graham (Maranda), Dulcie Rose (Miranda), Callum (Kacey), and Tua Novak; his grandchildren: Liam, Trina, Joel, Benjamin, Cecilia, Madeline, Abby, Cullen, and Julia Novak; his siblings: Patricia Nichols, Karen (Dennis) Free, Diann Bonin, and William (Tammy) Novak; brother-in-law, Dion Boland; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Friends are invited to gather with the family at Sts. Edward & Isidore Church, 3667 Flintville Rd., Suamico, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 21st. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Fr. David Hoffmann presiding. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred. The family would like to extend a special thank you and all their love to Jerry’s exceptional caregivers at Country Villa, where he was so joyously happy. The care he received was skilled, compassionate, and very loving. All his caregivers became family to all of us. Country Villa is an exceptional and elite facility. There are no words to express our love and gratitude. They would also like to thank the staff of Bristol Hospice, who were so committed to giving Jerry a loving and comfortable passing. These people not only cared for Jerry, but for our entire family and particularly his wife, Paula. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.marnochafuneralhome.com or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.