Click Here to View the Funeral for Rodney

Rodney Dale Novak, 77, died peacefully and surrounded by family at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.

Funeral services for Rodney will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at the Hettinger Lutheran Church in Hettinger, ND.  Pastor Selva Periannan will officiate with burial to be held in the Richland Cemetery northeast of Hettinger, ND.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a family service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2021 at the Hettinger Lutheran Church.

The funeral for Rodney will be livestreamed on Rodney's obituary on our website at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com . Click on the link "Click Here to View the Funeral for Rodney".

Rodney was born on October 6, 1944 to Mary (Green) Novak. He grew up and attended schools all across North Dakota and Montana, later receiving his G.E.D. from Northfield High School in Wabash, IN. His fondest childhood memories were spent at his Uncles Harvey and George Green's farms near Mott, ND. In 1965, he was married to his beloved wife Sheila (Olson) in Hettinger, ND and moved to Wabash, IN shortly after where they were blessed with three children: Sue Novak, Dee (Rob) Barr and Ryan (Emilee) Novak. Rodney worked at Celotex in Lagro, IN for 8 years before starting his 12 year career as an owner/operator truck driver. In 1985, he went to work at Alloys in Wabash, IN as a trailer repair mechanic, and later becoming a heavy equipment mechanic. In 2003, Rodney retired and returned, with his family, to the place he loved most, the Green family farm in North Dakota.

Rodney enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, riding his motorcycles, cruising in his 1951 Chevy and watching the "traffic" go by. He spent many nights in the garage and at the racetrack supporting Ryan during his racing and derby careers. He enjoyed tinkering and always had a creative way to fix things – Sheila's Gazabo being one of his many loved projects. He had a gift for making people laugh and was quick to lend a helping hand.

Rodney is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sheila; daughters Sue and Denise (Rob); son Ryan (Emilee); brothers Daryl (Sabrina) and Don (Becky); sister Del Rae (Danny); brother-in-law Clayton (Cynthia); sister-in-laws Lois, Linda, Sheryl (Bobby), Elaine (Don) and Eve (Don); grandchildren Emily (Adam) and Nick; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary; brother Mark; brother-in-laws Leo, Orlee, Marvin and Jack; and sister-in-laws Carol and Pat; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ole and Deborah Olson.