Eugene 'Gene' Rudolph Novak

EUGENE "GENE" RUDOLPH NOVAK

Marion

Eugene "Gene" Rudolph Novak, 86, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with his family by his side.

In agreement with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service honoring Gene's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Marion Methodist Church, located at 5050 REC Dr., Marion, with Pastor Mike Morgan officiating. All guests are respectfully requested to dress casual, wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Burial will take place at a later date at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion is assisting the family.

Gene was born "at home" on Feb. 4, 1934, the only son of Rudolph J. and Ludmila D. (Andrle) Novak. He lived all his 86 years on the family farm. Gene attended the rural Prairie Ridge School, until entering Marion High School, graduating in 1952. As a teenager, Gene attained the highest rank in the Marion Demolay organization and was active in the boy's 4-H Club. He attended Iowa State College for two years. On June 20, 1954, he was united in marriage to Lois Andrew at Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church. Gene spent several years working in the carpenter trade, which opened his eyes to the beauty of working with wood. This prepared him with the skills to build their own home and later, in retirement, to repair some beautiful antique furniture. Gene spent 29 years as a fertilizer and chemical salesman, working for Farmland Industries (later Wilfarm). He enjoyed his years traveling the eastern part of Iowa, talking with the "Co-op" managers, visiting with the farmers, and helping them make the right decisions for their farming operations. Gene's family and friends will miss him dearly.

After retirement, Gene and Lois went on many mission trips. Gene's passion was growing produce in his garden and providing produce to local pantries and missions. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gene's family and will be used for those local food pantries and missions.

Gene is survived and fondly remembered by his wife of 67 years, Lois Novak of Marion; four children, Bradley E. (Deb) Novak of Marion, Alicia Novak of Marion, Robina S. (Tom) Ulrich of Center Point, Iowa, and Christopher A. (Julie) Novak of Alexandria, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Andrew and Brian Novak, Brent and Alexander Ulrich, and Victoria, Katherine and Jackson Novak; one sister, Joyce (Robert) Hay of Marion, sister-in-law, Jaqueline (Tom) Bohan; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Ludmila Novak; and one sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Philip Yeisley.

Please share a memory of Gene at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.