Mary Ann Novotny

Wednesday, September 21, 2016 5:15 pm

Mary Ann Novotny, 86, of Protivin, died Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco. A memorial Mass is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Protivin, with Rev. Kyle Digmann celebrating the Mass. The organist is Sue Panos accompanying the Czech Choir. Lectors for the service are Scott Kipp, Mark Kipp and Megan Novotny. Presenting the offertory gifts are Jennifer Swinehart, Angie Kipp, Allison Novotny, Emily Novotny and Brandi Novotny. Eucharist ministers are Jackie Novotny and Taylor Novotny. Burial will take place at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery, Protivin with Brent Hulbert, Chad Lyke, Matt Lyke, Ethan Novotny, Ben Novotny and Mitch Novotny serving as pallbearers. Friends may greet the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home in Protivin, where there is a 3:45 p.m. rosary and a 6:30 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the funeral home Thursday.

Mary Ann Clara Novotny was born Dec. 2, 1929, in Protivin, the daughter of Richard and Clara (Strnad) Kalishek. She attended rural country school near Protivin through the 8th grade. She married Donald Novotny Aug. 16, 1949. To this union eight children were born. The couple settled on the Novotny family farm Southeast of Protivin. Mary Ann was an integral part of the farm where she raised ducks and chickens, spent many hours in a tractor tending to the fields, and raised her children. Mary Ann and Donald retired into the town of Protivin in 1988 after spending 38 years on the farm. From 1970 to 1998 Mary Ann and Donald traveled around the world. Together, they were able to visit over 50 countries. Mary Ann loved making quilts and Czech stitchery. She was known for making name crochets. Mary Ann loved to play cards, crochet, bake, attend her grandchildren’s sporting events, and watch Iowa Hawkeye basketball games. Mary Ann was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Provitin, and a longtime member of the Czech Choir. Mary Ann cherished spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary Ann is survived by four sons: Neal (Robin) Novotny of Foster City, Calif., Duane (Jackie) Novotny of Ft. Atkinson, Jeff (Beth) Novotny of Spillville, Gary Novotny of Decorah; three daughters: Wanda (Frank) Hulbert of Norwalk, Dorene (Jim) Lyke of Rochester, Minn. Diane (Dan) Kipp of New Hampton; 16 grandchildren: Jennifer Swinehart, Brent Hulbert, Scott, Mark and Angie Kipp, Chad and Matt Lyke, and step-grandson, James Lyke, Ethan, Emily and Mitch Novotny, Allison, Ben and Taylor Novotny, Brandi and Megan Novotny; and 10 great-grandchildren; one sister, Lorraine Foley of Waterloo; friend of the family, Shelly Bohr of Cresco.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald, in 1999; son, Kenny in 2003.