Novak, Joyce Glenna Lacher

Joyce Glenna Lacher Novak, 80, of Marion, formerly of Springville, Cedar Rapids and Marengo, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013. All are invited to an informal gathering at the Marion YMCA from 10 a.m. until noon Friday, Nov. 1. Per her wishes, there will be no visitation or memorial. Arrangements by Iowa Cremation and her cremains will be sprinkled in Iowa County at a later date.

She was born the daughter of Glen Earnest Lacher and Lelia Rathjen Lacher on her dad's birthday, July 14, 1933.

Joyce attended Sumner #7 rural school and graduated from Marengo High School with the class of 1951. She worked at Collins Radio before marrying Eugene Novak at the Chelsea Methodist Church on July 25, 1953. They were later divorced.

She is survived by four daughters, Deborah Novak and Deloris Nunemaker of Springville, Dawnita (Rob) Anderson of Central City and Dorilyn (Mike) Nickell of Atkins; six grandchildren, Jennifer Nunemaker Betzer (Darrell) of Central City, Jay (Brittany) Nunemaker of Cedar Rapids, Jill Nunemaker Sells (Eric) of Marengo, Julie Nunemaker of Springville, Brent (Brooke) Anderson of Minnesota and Drew (Taylor) Nickell of Cedar Rapids; along with two great-granddaughters, Annadee and Jayelee Betzer; a great-grandson, Michael Anderson; and ex-husband, Eugene Novak.

Also surviving are cousins, JoAnne Lacher Mather of Marengo, Russ Lacher of South English and Sharlee Rathjen Feller of Ladora; and several stepaunts and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Ted Nunemaker Jr.; her mother in 1941 of TB; and father in 1956 of a heart attack. Also grandparents, John and Martha (Schafbuch) Rathjen and Mary (Jacobs) Lacher.

After being a homemaker until her children were raised, she worked at Sears for 28 years in receiving and display. She was a member of Kenwood Park United Methodist Women, attended Marion Methodist and spent many hours at the Marion YMCA.

Condolences may be left at under Obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 30, 2013.