Ronald James Novak

Ronald James Novak, age 75, went to be with the Lord on June 16, 2022, after a hard fight with cancer.  Preceded in death by his parents Leo and Naomi and sisters: Yvonne, Donna, and Jenny.  Survived by his wife Donna and children Laura (Rob) and Andy (Michelle) as well as grandchildren and fishing buddies: Naomi, Drew, Ruth, Nadia, Jonah, Benjamin, and William, and nieces and nephews. Ronnie grew up in South Minneapolis, graduated from Roosevelt HS in 1965, and worked for the MSP Fire Department for 26 years. He was married to his dedicated wife Donna for almost 49 years.  After retiring from the FD, Ron and Donna pursued traveling and fishing.  When they were blessed with grandchildren, they actively looked for ways to spend time visiting “the kids.” Renting hotels and condos with pools, and planning fishing trips to cramped little remote cabins were some of Ron’s favorite pastimes.  He loved fishing year-round and sharing that love with family and friends.  Ice fishing and summer fishing on Lake of the Woods, dodging rocks and big waves on Lake  Kabetogama, river fishing on the Missouri River, and our Novak family vacation on Devil’s Lake were favorite destinations. Each expedition ended with a good fish-fry and a typical “big fish” story. Ron had many passions beyond fishing.  He cared deeply about sharing the Gospel and participated on the Evangelism Committee at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Francis for more than a decade.  He served as a dedicated usher and Elder as well.  He had an amazing ability to strike up a conversation with complete strangers to spread God’s Word. Even if some of his conversations were a bit awkward, he always had the best of intentions, and most understood that he meant well because he smiled and gave a loving pat on the shoulder. Ron also loved gardening, puttering around the yard, rough carpentry, and his AA meetings.  We are forever grateful for his sobriety of over 35 years.  It was the best gift he could give the family. Ron realized the value of influencing the next generation whether it was introducing fishing, sharing about Jesus, or offering advice with the best of intentions.  Ron leaves a legacy of loving his family and he will be forever missed. Funeral service at 11:00AM on Monday, June 27, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3812-229th Avenue NW, St Francis, MN with visitation starting at 10:00AM.  Visitation also on Sunday, June 26 from 4:00 – 7:00PM at Dare’s Funeral Home, 805 Main Street, Elk River. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 11:30AM. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald James Novak, please visit our floral store.