Joseph Emil Novak

Joseph Emil Novak, age 73, of Harrisburg, South Dakota and formerly of Yankton, South Dakota, died Monday, July 1, 2024, at his home in Harrisburg.

 A memorial service will be 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791. Burial will be at a later date. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service on Saturday at the funeral home.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Schaeffer, Jessie Kendall, Tom Slowey and Rodney Kaiser.

 Joseph Emil Novak was born February 6, 1951, in Yankton, South Dakota, to Joseph Orlin and Delores (Goeden) Novak. he grew up and attended school in Yankton and then enlisted into the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War where he served as a medic. After the war he returned to Yankton, and started working for the Yankton County EMS as well as helping his dad run the pool hall. He married Mavis Kaiser on November 6, 1976, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Yankton. In 1978, Joseph took over the pool hall from his dad and was also promoted to Director of Yankton County EMS, where he served for 15 years. He was instrumental in developing the 911 services in South Dakota and Yankton County. He spent many evenings teaching CPR and first responder classes throughout the community over the years. He then took a position with the United States Postal Service in Vermillion, South Dakota and served as the Assistant Postmaster. They moved to Harrisburg, South Dakota in 2006 and Joseph continued to work at the Post Office in Vermillion.

Joseph loved softball and baseball. He coached his sons’ numerous baseball teams over the years. He also loved playing pool and snooker. Joe also enjoyed tinkering with electronics and old radios and antiques. But mostly Joseph loved his family. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and would always have an activity for them to do. He would organize family events around Labor Day or the 4th of July or Memorial Day. He always just wanted people to have fun and if he could be a part of that he was happy.

Survivors include his wife, Mavis Novak of Harrisburg, SD; four children: Jason Novak of Yankton, SD; Jody (Kerry) Steffen of Fordyce, NE; Chris (Shelly) Novak of Sioux Falls, SD; and Joey (Angie) Novak of East Grand Forks, MN; 12 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; five brothers: Gerald Novak of Yankton; Danny Novak of Yankton; Gene (Pat) Novak of Gilbert, AZ; Dennis (Sue) Novak of Sioux Falls and Richard Novak of Florida; two sisters: Mary (Tim) DeNomme of Phoenix, AZ and Phyllis Conn of Volga, SD; & many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Delores Novak.