Kathleen Novak, age 62, of St. Patrick, died Monday, April 8, 2013 at her home. Kathleen was born February 10, 1951 in Tacoma, Washington, to John K. and Mary B. (Owens) Wiley. She grew up in the Tacoma area, graduated from Wilson High School in Tacoma, received a degree from Tacoma Community College, and attended Western Washington University. She resided in Salem, Oregon, then Kennewick, Washington, where she founded the Kennewick Chapter of the Lupus Society. Following marriage, Kathleen moved to Burnsville, MN, then to New Prague, and finally, to St. Patrick, where she spent the last 23 years of her life. Kathleen married Donald E. Novak on September 8, 1990 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague. She worked as a Human Resources Assistant for Northern Tool & Equipment in Burnsville and for 13 years as the Secretary for the Superintendent in the New Prague Area Schools District Office. Kathleen enjoyed golf, cards, and visiting, but most of all the travels that took her all over the world.
Kathleen is survived by her husband, Donald, of St. Patrick; children, Megan (& Douglas) Eichhorst of New Prague, Jeffrey Novak of Prior Lake, Krista Novak (& Robert Rutherford) of New Prague, Melissa Novak (& Kyle Dennis) of Apple Valley; Grandchildren, Zachary Page, Anna & Olivia Eichhorst, Trey Bilderback, Tru Rutherford; step-father, George Fortun of Portland, OR; siblings, John (& Amy) Wiley of Spokane, WA, Brigid Allen of Portland, OR, James (& Julie) Wiley of Scappoose, OR, Anne (& Harry) Sibley of Vancouver, WA, Michael (& Mary) Wiley of Portland, OR, Karen (& Patrick) Driscoll of Vancouver, WA, Kristen (& Jack) Hammonds of Steilacoom, WA, Kathi (& Spence) Johnston of Portland, OR. She is preceded in death by her parents, John & Mary (Owens) Wiley, and brother-in-law, Terry Allen.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 3:00 PM at Bruzek Funeral Home with Father George Grafsky officiating. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to service. Interment will occur at a later date at Czech National Cemetery in New Prague. Lunch will follow the service at Creeks Bend Golf Course on Hwy. 13.
