Virginia "Ginny" Novak

Virginia “Ginny” Novak, age 97, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at Fairway View Neighborhoods.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Odessa, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Reverend Nathaniel Brown will officiate, and inurnment will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Odessa, MN.

Virginia Sophie (Schulte) Novak was born on January 22, 1927, in Hegbert Township, Appleton, MN, to John H. and Sophie (Madetzke) Schulte. Virginia's life was a testament to her resilience, warm spirit, and dedication to her family and community.

Virginia shared her life with her beloved husband, George Novak, whom she married on September 27, 1947, at Highland Park Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN. Together, they built a life filled with love and adventure raising their four children. 

Beginning her career life, Virginia worked as a telephone operator in the 1950s. She then began her career teaching at a country school for one year before serving as a substitute teacher and secretary at the Odessa school. Her professional journey continued as a bookkeeper at the Odessa Farmer's Elevator and later as the City Clerk of Odessa. Virginia also dedicated her time as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the Milbank and Clinton nursing homes, where she provided compassionate care to her patients.

An active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Odessa, Virginia participated in the Trinity Ladies' Aid and she proudly served with the Odessa American Legion Auxiliary. Her vibrant spirit transcended her professional roles and community service; she was known for her love of knitting, crocheting, and playing cards, as well as her enthusiasm for reading and working on puzzles. Virginia also embraced a variety of leisure activities, enjoying bowling, golfing, and playing softball. In her youth, she found joy in roller skating and ice skating. One of Virginia's great joys was fishing with George, where the couple embraced the tranquility of nature and the joy of companionship.

Virginia is survived by her daughter, Jill (Bob) Mason of Eagle Lake, MN; granddaughter, Kristin (Ken) Bylsma of Lombard, IL; grandson, Alexander (Abigail) Hunt of Faribault, MN; and granddaughter, Amanda (Joshua) Wolfer; great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Bylsma of Lombard, IL; daughter-in-law, Georgia Novak of Indianapolis, IN; sister, Adeline Leland of Bricelyn, MN; brother, Gene Schulte of Ortonville, MN; and sister, Janice Comelio of Due West, SC. 

She was preceded in death by her husband George Novak in 2014; sons: Bruce Novak, Kerry Novak, and Scott Novak; parents, John and Sophie Schulte; brothers: Hilbert, Robert, and Wallace; and sisters: Jeanette, Irene, Alice, and Donna.