Janice Jean Novak

Janice Novak, age 80, passed away peacefully, after a short battle with cancer, on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at her home in Verdigre, Nebraska, with her family by her side.

There will be a celebration of life gathering for family, friends and neighbors on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Wildwood Acres Shelter by the pool in Verdigre, NE from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Janice Jean (Wirth) Novak was born September 29, 1944 to Frank and Elsie (Moticka) Wirth in Niobrara, Nebraska. She was a graduate of Yankton High School, Class of 1962.

Janice married the love of her life, Larry Novak on January 25, 1963 in Yankton, South Dakota. They were blessed with 4 children. Janice worked for many years at Yankton Savings & Loan and then First Federal Bank as well as the Senior Citizens Center, Kabeiseman & Pollard Law Office, the state hospital, helped Sherry Soukup with auctions, Brunswick State Bank in Winnetoon, NE and most recently she enjoyed her part-time job with Laura Sucha at the Country Café in Niobrara, NE.

Janice spent a lot of her free time making things with her creative soul. There wasn’t a thing she couldn’t do, including baking, gardening, cooking her famous fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and her delicious cucumbers (or anything really), painting, sewing or cross stitching the most beautiful baby blankets and quilts in the world.

Over the course of her years, Janice made countless baby blankets and quilts for family and friends that stretch across the country. The hours of care and love that were put into her creations will be cherished by all that have one.

While raising their children, Janice and Larry enjoyed spending time together hunting and riding their motorcycles. They enjoyed their yearly trips to Sturgis and Algona, Iowa as well as riding with their club that went out together for supper rides.

In 1999, Janice and Larry moved from Yankton to Verdigre, Nebraska. They enjoyed spending time together on their quiet piece of land. Growing up on a farm herself, Janice loved being able to have her birds…all of them…the chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas and peacocks. She truly loved taking care of her birds.

Janice is survived by her daughter, Melissa Keirn of Temecula, California, son, Brandon (Cynthia) Novak of Mission Hill, SD, daughter, Sara (Tony) Jensen of Billings, MT and daughter, Jamie (James) Lagler of Davis, SD; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry Novak; parents, Frank and Elsie (Moticka) Wirth; sister, Evelyn Evans and her sweet great-grandson, Elijah William.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Avera Hospice Nurses that assisted in caring for our mom. We would also like to thank all the friends, neighbors and family members that took time to visit, drop off goodies, check in with us or just drop by to talk, tell us stories with mom and the good old days or just hang out with us during this difficult time. Thank you.