Mavis JoAnn Novak

Mavis JoAnn Novak, age 72, of Harrisburg, South Dakota and formerly of Yankton, South Dakota, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at her home in Harrisburg.

A memorial service will be at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota with Reverend Jeff Otterman officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home. The service will be live streamed and can be viewed at www.facebook.com/WintzRay. 

Mavis JoAnn Novak was born April 29, 1952, in Yankton, South Dakota, to George and Orinne (Bratburg) Kaiser. She grew up in Yankton and graduated from Yankton High School in 1970. She then worked at Gurney’s Seed and Nursery with her mother for a short time. She married Joseph Novak on November 6, 1976 in Yankton. They lived and raised their family in Yankton and Mavis worked for a few various businesses including: Cimpl’s, Yankton Medical Clinic and as the manager of Casey’s General Store. They moved to Harrisburg, South Dakota in 2006 and Mavis worked in Bookkeeping for Americold Logistics and Gannon Bookkeeping.

Mavis was a loving, accepting, understanding woman whose home was always open. She enjoyed bowling and playing pool and was involved in several leagues over the years. She loved clowns and helping Joe plan family gatherings. She loved her family and epitomized what a mother truly was supposed to be.

Survivors include her two children: Chris (Shelly) Novak of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Joey (Angie) Novak of East Grand Forks, Minnesota; two step-children: Jason Novak of Yankton and Jody (Kerry) Steffen of Fordyce, Nebraska; 12 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sister, Marlys Kaiser of Sioux Falls and two brothers: John Kaiser of Sioux Falls and Rodney (Marlys) Kaiser of Yankton.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph on July 1, 2024, and sister, Cheryl.