Funeral services for Shirley F. Novak, 96, of Rochester, MN formerly of Chamberlain, SD will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 22 , 2022 at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain with burial in the Riverview Cemetery at Chamberlain.  Visitation will begin Friday at 5:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. scripture service at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain.

Shirley was born in Reliance, S.D. on April 6, 1926 to Arthur and Carmen Hodgin.  Shirley had eight siblings, including Helen Hodgin, Rita Strong, Mary Lou Weniger, Lorena Murphy, Vivian Gillings, Kenneth Hodgin, Paul Hodgin, and Theron Hodgin.  Shirley and her brothers and sisters maintained strong connections, and the next generations of cousins grew up together with close family bonds.

On August 28, 1943, Shirley married Marion (Mike) Novak at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Reliance, S.D. They lived in Mt. Vernon and Tabor, S.D. a short time before moving to Chamberlain in 1949.   They had 4 children.  During her 60 years in Chamberlain, Shirley was an active participant in her community and church.  Shirley worked for Norwest Bank in Chamberlain for 25 years.  She was a champion bowler.  She loved golf, and also she routinely beat us all at cards.  She preserved strong family traditions with the best fried chicken, the best dill pickles, the best ham sandwiches, and above all the best holiday dinners that we, her offspring, attempt to emulate for the next generations.

Following the death of her husband, Shirley moved to Sioux Falls, S.D. in 2009.  In 2020, Shirley moved to Rochester, Minn., where she lived with her granddaughter, Kalley Strong and family.

Shirley Hodgin Novak died on October 11, 2022, at the age of 96 years, in the home she shared with her granddaughter, Kalley Strong and family, in Rochester, Minn.  She is survived by her children, Michael Novak, Highmore, S.D.; Gary Novak, Seattle, Wash; Pamela and Curt Letsche, Rochester, Minn.; and Brenda Novak, Omaha, Neb.; one brother, Theron Hodgin, Fort Pierre, S.D.; one sister, Vivian Gillings, Chamberlain, S.D.; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Memorials may be directed to the St. James Catholic Church, 400 S. Main Street, Chamberlain, SD 57325.