Novotny, Joseph F.

Joseph F. Novotny, of rural Swisher, joined his wife, Pauline, in Heaven on May 27, 2013. He was 89 years old and surrounded by his loving family. His life was all about faith, family and work. Even the day before he died he was fixing a plumbing leak, standing on a ladder saying he didn't need anyone to hold him.

Funeral Mass: 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Father Christopher Podhajsky. Burial: Blain Cemetery, rural Swisher, with military gravesite rites by Swisher American Legion Post 671. Friends may call from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids, where a vigil service begins at 4 p.m.

Joe was born to Fred and Della Novotny on the family farm in Shueyville on April 16, 1924. He married Pauline Hazel Stepanek on June 2, 1948. They will spend their 65th wedding anniversary together, happily reunited.

Joe will be missed by his daughter, Cheryl Anne Hannah; his son, Lynn (Cynthia) Novotny; his granddaughters, Traci Hannah-Cauchi, Nikole (Faraji) Hannah-Jones, Michele Hannah de Gutierrez and Jessica Novotny; great-granddaughters, Shabbrea Tooson, Briana Tooson, Temiah Tooson and Najya Hannah-Jones; his sister, Helen Cross; and family and friends.

Joe worked at Square D in Cedar Rapids for 33 years until his retirement in 1986. He worked as hard or harder in retirement as he did at the factory. Setting his alarm for 5:30 every morning, he had to work in his huge garden and care for his acreage. He was also a loving caretaker for Windmill Farms, his son's farm in rural Swisher. Joe was best known for his woodworking skills and spent many hours in his shop which was his haven.

Joe was accident-prone and kept Band-Aid brand in business. He always had cuts and scrapes someplace and never wanted to go to the doctor, even when he almost cut his fingers off. Joe was the epitome of a man - tough as nails, yet gentle and compassionate, always putting his family first.

He remodeled an old school house by himself to make a beautiful home for his family. He created a Christmas display that spanned his acreage and was known for miles around.

Joe's knowledge will be deeply missed. He knew how to do nearly everything and he would often “McGiver” things to fix them, always coming up with a solution. He believed in the American dream, that you can accomplish anything, there is always a solution and to never give up. He imparted his philosophy and wisdom to his family. His granddaughters and great-granddaughters came to him for advice because they so admired and respected him.

Memorial Day was a fitting day for Joe to pass away as he was a true Patriot and a World War II veteran - one of “The Greatest Generation.” He was fiercely “proud to be an American.” He bravely served in the South Pacific on the USS Arenac and was off the shore of Japan when that country surrendered.

One of his proudest moments was going on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., accompanied by his son.

Joe had a living faith. Many nights he could be seen sitting in his recliner reading a spiritual book. He was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church his entire life and was a willing helper following the 2008 flood. Joe left a lasting tribute to the church in the beautiful wooden holy water fonts he crafted in his workshop that are used by parishioners at every Mass.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Wenceslaus Church.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.papich-kubafs.com under “obituaries.”

Published May 30, 2013 in The Gazette