Harold Joseph Nowak, 82, Silver Lake

Harold Joseph Nowak, 82, of Silver Lake, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, Jan. 3, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake with the Revs. Tony Stubeda and Paul Schumacher officiating.
Casket bearers were Dave Nowak, Bob Nowak, Randy Wawrzyniak, Rick Wawrzyniak, Peter Swartzer and Doug Jurek.
Interment with military rites was in the St. Adalbert Cemetery, Silver Lake.
Harold Nowak was born Aug. 25, 1934, in Hale Township, McLeod County, the son of Joseph F. and Elizabeth (Chmielewski) Nowak. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Armed Services from 1955 to 1957.
On Oct. 28, 1958, Harold Nowak and Alice Wawrzyniak were joined in holy marriage at St. Adalbert’s Catholic Church in Silver Lake. God blessed their marriage with four children.
As a young man, Mr. Nowak drove truck for Reml Brothers, and had a milk route. He worked 26 years at Sterner Lighting and drove a dump truck for Gordon Mikulichek. He also was employed for five years for the city of Silver Lake.
Mr. Nowak was a faithful member of Holy Family Catholic Church and was the former church custodian at St. Adalbert Catholic Church. He belonged for 27 years to the Silver Lake Fire Department, the Degree of Honor, and was a former member of American Legion Post 141.
He was a finish carpenter and enjoyed woodworking. He also helped his wife Alice with Music in the Park.
He is survived by his loving wife, Alice; four children, Russell Nowak, Dale (Sue) Nowak, Terry Nowak and Mary (Paul) Stifter; three grandchildren, Ben (Amber) Stifter, Jenni (Cory) Behrendt and Mitch Nowak and significant other Kacie Walker; three great-grandchildren, Ellie, Broox and Cayden; special family member, Shiko (Naoki) Yamada and their sons, Kota, Shuta and Haruta; siblings, Patrick (Shirley) Nowak, Patricia Lueck, Gary (Kay) Nowak and Linda (Chuck) Randt; an aunt, Lillian Nowak; brother-in-law, Louie (Aggie) Wawrzyniak; a sister-in-law, Dorothy “Duff” Novak; many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Charlotte Carlson; brother, Dennis Novak; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Peter and Mary Wawrzyniak; and sister-in-law, Ceil (Ervin) Haekenkamp.
Arrangements were with the Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake. Online condolences may be made at www.
mareshfuneralhome.com.