Patricia Ann Novak

Patricia Ann Novak, age 92, of Eau Claire, WI died Monday morning surrounded by loving family on June 3, 2024.

Pat was born on November 16, 1931 to Albert and Martha (Smejkal) Subrt in Rice Lake, WI, and passed away on June 3, 2024 in Altoona, WI.

Patricia grew up in rural Rice Lake, WI and graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1950. In 1953 she married Wilfred Novak and they moved to Georgia, where Wilfred trained in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. While he was deployed, Pat returned to Rice Lake, WI and worked at the King Edward Hotel until her husband returned from his Army service.

Pat enjoyed being a homemaker and was a dedicated mother to daughter, Laurel. Patricia was a fantastic cook, who enjoyed preparing meals and baking for friends and family. She was also a thoughtful caregiver to several young children in her home for many years. Later, she did alterations at Gustin Cleaners in Eau Claire and was also a proficient seamstress.

Pat was drawn to make connections with people. Her gregarious nature and magnetic personality helped maintain numerous relationships across the world and strengthened countless friendships.

Patricia had a passion for learning about her family history. She explored this by joining genealogy groups and also through travel, which included several trips to the Czech Republic. As a child, Pat learned to speak and write Czech at home from her grandfather. She even later published a book with a collection of his writings.

In addition to her memberships in genealogy associations, she was also a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers Aux. 829, Western Fraternal Life Association, Brunclik-Konop Post Aux. 540, Ceska Opera Foundation, Bohemian National Cemetery and ZCBJ Lodge 100 of Haugen, WI.

Her great pleasure was serving the Haugen community as a curator of the Haugen Area Historical Museum. She loved meeting visitors to show the museum displays, as well as helping them connect with the wealth of family history documents on file at the museum.

Pat loved spending time with her grandsons and great-grandchildren. She was indeed the fun grandma!

Patricia is survived by her daughter, Laurel (Jeffrey) Rabe of Minnetonka, MN; grandsons Nathan (Cathy) Rabe of Rochester, MN and Elliott Rabe of Savage, MN; great-grandchildren Franklin Jeffrey Rabe and Greta Patricia Rabe, of Rochester, MN; brother LeRoy (Gayle) Subrt, of Rice Lake, WI, as well as many special relatives and friends. Pat is predeceased by her husband Wilfred, and parents, Albert and Martha Subrt.

Visitation will take place at Hulke Family Funeral Home in Eau Claire on Friday, June 7, 2024 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Celebration of life service will be on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Ceska Opera Hall in Haugen, WI at 11:00 a.m., with Robert Heinze officiating. Burial will be at 12:00 p.m. at the Bohemian National Cemetery in Haugen.

Fellowship and refreshments will follow the burial at the Ceska Opera Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Ceska Opera Foundation, P.O. Box 211, Haugen, WI, 54841

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com

Hulke Family Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI, 54701, is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia Ann Novak, please visit our floral store.