Irma Marlene Novotny
November 14, 1939 — March 31, 2014
Irma Marlene (Menzel) Novotny, 74 of Iron Hub passed away on March 31, 2014 at the Harmony House in Brainerd. Irma was born on November 14, 1939 at home in Iron Hub to Henry and Lydia (Gruenhagen) Menzel. A graduate of Aitkin High School in 1957, Irma married John “Jack” Novotny on December 15, 1956.
The couple raised a family of four children in Iron Hub. Irma stayed home while the children were growing and later worked at Roy’s Café in Deerwood, Scorpion Corporation in Ironton, and then Minnesota Automation, which became Graphic Packaging International. She retired in 2005.
Irma and Jack enjoyed harvesting wild rice every year, and had a small farm. They were long-time fire wardens for Rabbit Lake Township. In later years, they worked to restore her family farm and received a Minnesota Century Farm Award in 1996.
Throughout her life, Irma served her Lord at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Iron Hub as Sunday School Superintendent, as a member of the Ladies Aid, and as organist.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jack in 2000, her parents; brother, Roger;
sister-in-law, Betty (Ford) Menzel; brothers-in-law, Alan Chambers and Albert Novotny..
Irma is survived by her children; Phyllis (Tom) Peterson, Iron Hub; Bradley Novotny, Baxter; Jacki (Brian) Lemieux, Brainerd; and Shelley Novotny, St. Paul.
She will be lovingly remembered by eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; brothers, Gene (Adelyn) Menzel, Bloomington and Ronald (Sally) Menzel, Brooklyn Park; Sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Chambers, Saginaw, MN and Carol Novotny of Deerwood; aunt Betty Hart, Savage; Many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be 11 am on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iron Hub. Burial will be at the Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby from 4 to 7 pm and 1 hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Memorials are preferred to the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Iron Hub or the Alzheimer’s Association.