Blanche L. Novak

Blanche L. Novak, age 93, of Victorian Heights in Crystal Falls, MI, formerly of Camp Lake in Stambaugh Township, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at Aspirus Iron River Hospital. Blanche was born on February 21, 1926 in Iron River, MI, the daughter of the late Walter and Blanche (Bertrand) Dowsey. She attended the local schools, graduating from Iron River High School with the Class of 1943.  While raising her five children, she was employed as a billing clerk at Iron County General Hospital and later as a secretary at D.A. McPherson. Blanche married George J. Novak on November 27, 1944 in Jacksonville, FL.  The couple made their home in Caspian, MI for 30 years, before moving to their Camp Lake residence. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in 2002, before George preceded her in death on September 29, 2003. She was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian, MI and was active in the St. Agnes Home and School Association.  She was an avid reader and also enjoyed the outdoors. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her son, Gene in 1990; sisters, Susan Bailey, Rosemary Bergin, and Jean Little; and brother, Walter Dowsey. Blanche is survived by her daughters, Mary (Art) Hebert of Stambaugh Township, MI, Jacqueline (Terry) King of Pinconning, MI, Patricia Gail Novak of Bradenton, FL and Elizabeth Novak of Haslett, MI; daughter-in-law, Jeanne (Dan) Smith of Fond Du Lac, WI; brother, Paul Dowsey of Spanish Fort, AL; 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; two great, great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 1, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00pm CST at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.  Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 11:00am CST at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial.  The Ladies of St. Ann’s Society will form an honor guard at the service. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery, Iron River, MI at a later date. The family suggests memorials be made to the West Iron District Library. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Blanche L. Novak, please visit our flower store.