Charles “Dewey” Novak

Charles “Dewey” Novak, 83, of Ely, passed away at Carefree Living on Monday, March 10, 2025.

He led a very active and fulfilling life. After high school he spent about a year at a Franciscan Monastery, in Illinois and later spent two years at the Crosier Seminary in Onamia, MN aspiring to become a priest. When he left there, he went on to college, studying at the University of Minnesota. He lived in New York for a short time as well as Hawaii. He finally settled down in San Francisco and worked at a brokerage firm for over 30 years. After that he moved back to Minneapolis and worked there until his retirement.

Coming back to Ely he enjoyed writing articles for the Ely Echo and felt he had come ‘full circle’ in his life.

Dewey loved classical music, Broadway plays, opera, movies and reading. He traveled to many countries. Slovenia was one of his favorites, as that was where both sets of his grandparents were born.

Dewey is survived by his sister, Carol Kochendofer, nieces, Kim Schulte (Dave), and Leah Baroun, (Mike), nephews, Mike Kochendofer and Ben Novak (Erin), eight great nieces and nephews, very special cousin, Jerry Fink, many other wonderful cousins, and special friends, Kim and Ken.

He was preceded in death by his mother and dad, Charlie and Amelia Novak, brother Jimmy brother-in-law, Dave Kochendofer, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

At Dewey’s request, there will be no service.

May God’s love and peace be with him.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

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