Mary Jo Novak

Mary Jo Novak, 79, widow of Harvey, of David City died Sunday, November 28, 2021 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha.

The family has asked that IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLANTS, and STATUES, Memorials be given in care of St. Mary's Church or Aquinas Catholic Schools.



Mary Jo (Meysenburg) Novak was born in David City on December 8, 1941, to Clara (Puetz) and Joseph F. Meysenburg. The oldest of eight children, she graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1960. On May 11, 1961, she was united in marriage to Harvey W. Novak of Prague. Three children were born into this union. The couple lived in Wahoo and Lexington, and then settled in David City.

Throughout her life, Mary Jo worked at the First National Bank, St. Joseph’s Villa, and McCoy’s Pharmacy, but what she most enjoyed were the twenty-nine years she spent working at David Place nursing home. She loved her work and cherished the people she cared for during this time.

Mary Jo had a generous heart and loved giving gifts, no matter what the occasion. She was a loyal Husker fan and adored supporting her grandchildren in their many activities. She was a member of the David City Jaycees, Catholic Daughters of America, St. Mary’s PCCW, and the Red Hat Society.

Mary Jo is survived by her children: Jeff (Janine) Novak of Lincoln, Jody (Kenny) Pelan of David City, and Jill (Jim) Hain of Gretna; grandchildren: Kevin (Cortney) Nadrchal, Brandi (Arvie) Herring, Taylor (Taylor J.) Murren, Kirby (Franklin) Crawford, Noah Pelan, Regan Pelan, Ben (Molly) Kranda, Evan Kranda, and Conner Kranda; great-grandchildren: Kirstyn and Peyton Nadrchal, Baker and Baby Murren #2 (coming in April), and Colton, Felicity, and Isabel Kranda; mother: Clara Meysenburg; sisters: Betty (Jerry) Votava, Carol Johnson, and Donna (Barry) Waller, and brothers: Michael (Leslie) Meysenburg and Pat Meysenburg.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey, in 2003, father, Joseph F. Meysenburg, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Adeline and Emil Novak, sisters, Barb Brandhorst and Bev Hain, brothers-in-law, Larry Hain and Hugh Johnson, great-grandchildren, Landon Nadrchal and Maria Therese Kranda.