Lavern “Bud” Novak

Lavern “Bud” Novak

Cedar Rapids

Lavern “Bud” Novak, 94, of Cedar Rapids, passed away surrounded by love on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. The Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church by Father Aaron Junge. Burial will follow at Saint John’s Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE and after 9 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Bud is survived by his brother, Raymond (Joyce) Novak; son, Terry (Mary) Novak; and two granddaughters, Breanna (Samuel) Mohney and Natasha Novak.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; his parents; and two brothers, Donald and Robert.

Bud was born in Cedar Rapids in 1929 to Anton and Eleanor Novak. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1947 and went on to serve in the United States Air Force and National Guard. Bud was united in marriage with Patricia Taylor on Aug. 16, 1958, and the two remained inseparable for 61 years until her passing in 2018.

Bud worked for the Cedar Rapids School system for more than 20 years as an engineer at Taylor, Franklin, Grant Wood and Kenwood schools before retiring in 1994.

A steadfast and determined Czech, Bud did not let age slow him down even at the very end.

He will be greatly missed by all of those who knew and loved him.