ADELLA NOVAK

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ADELLA NOVAK

(nee LITKE)

December 19, 1943 - May 7, 2025

Mom, age 81, passed away peacefully May 7, 2025 at Riverview Health Centre. She is now united with her Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Olga Litke, her loving husband Joe, her sister Margaret Johnson, and brothers-in-law Rick Oberick and Jerry Novak.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Dwane (Kim), Sheldon (Jill), Marissa (Trevor), and Janna (Scott). Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Analeigh, Brody, Emma, Samantha (Luke), Connor, Colby, Kiera, Malory, Keely, Mason and Hayley; and her step-grandchildren: Brody, Max, and Asher Wiebe. Mom will also be missed by her siblings and their spouses as well as a large extended family.

Mom born into a farming family in Green Bay, Manitoba was the eldest of 11 children. She worked very hard on the family homestead nurturing her remarkable work ethic. She left home before her youngest siblings were even born to follow a new opportunity of the city life. Mom worked as a secretary for Shefrin Welding in Winnipeg. Dad and Mom were married June 27, 1964. Mom worked up until part way through her first pregnancy at which time she shifted her efforts to homemaking. She became a mother with the arrival of their first born son in October,1966. As Dad was in construction they built the homes they lived in. Until physical challenges presented themselves, Mom resided in the same house on Rannock Avenue for 55 years.

A gifted homemaker, Mom possessed various skills. She was an exceptional cook and baker. When Dad started to work shift work for Winnipeg Transit her duties expanded to chauffeur and disciplinarian all while maintaining a spotless house and having a family dinner on the table every night. She sewed and made many outfits for herself and her kids. She also crocheted and knit several doilies, tablecloths and blankets. Mom documented her pictures and compiled an incredible family tree collection. Together, Mom and Dad took pride in their home and yard. As a team they preserved the bounties of their garden for many years. She learned how to do cake decorating and for many years her creations were anticipated at birthdays and special events.

Dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming home for her family and friends, Mom always ensured that visitors had something to eat and drink. She often sent her kids home with extra food or some form of canning after a visit.

Growing up in the Novak household we were witness to Mom and Dad often enjoying socializing with friends and family. Whether that meant opening their doors to have friends and family to visit, or going on coffee outings, sometimes multiple times a week, all of it highlighted their strong social connections and the value they placed on them.

She embraced opportunities to serve and work outside the home, including assisting her mother-in-law with catering for several years. She worked tirelessly, serving long and countless hours. She then took a job at Walmart in their seasonal department, where she utilized her gifts of hard work and nurturing to ensure that even the plants were well-cared for and the department was kept clean and organized. Her department was so well-maintained that it was even photographed and awarded as the best-kept seasonal department around.

While we may not have embarked on many long-distance trips, our annual family vacations to Hillside Beach, where we stayed at the cabin (built by Dad with his brothers) created cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Later in life, Mom and Dad seized the chance to travel to various places. They explored most of Canada, several locations in the United States, the Caribbean and even ventured overseas a couple of times. One particularly memorable trip for them was a journey to Ecuador to meet one of the children they were sponsoring through Compassion Canada.

Mom and Dad were devoted members of Grant Memorial Church throughout their entire married life. Her commitment to service was evident through her many years of volunteering at Grant Memorial Church with Pioneer Girls and Sunday School. She also assisted for many years with the church's accounting matters - making out cheques to missionaries and balancing offering collections. Mom and Dad actively participated in small group Bible studies where they created and developed some deep friendships. Mom also attended Christian Women's Club for many years.

After Dad passed, Mom was dealt a hand that saw her deal with several years of health struggles. Despite these challenges, she never complained and remained incredibly resilient. She fought the battle with cancer and won. An unfortunate fall led to further complications alongside other health complications, but she approached them all head on. Mom was a strong proud woman right to the end.

The family would like to express our sincere gratitude for the care provided to our mother at Brightwater Senior Living and Riverview Health Centre.

A service to celebrate Mom’s life will be held Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Grant Memorial Church, 877 Wilkes Ave., Winnipeg. A link to the livestream will be published. Refreshments will be served immediately after the service. A private burial will precede the memorial service.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Instead, we would be grateful if you could make a donation in Mom’s memory to one of the following: Compassion Canada (Ecuador), Box 5591, London, Ontario N6A 5G8, or CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, 1160 - 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0V9.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home

204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2025