Novak, M. Kenneth Age 92, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2021 at home. He is survived by his wife Joan, son Ken (Shauna) Novak and daughter Shauna (Bruce) Hoffarber, 6 grandchildren, Adam, Margo, Blake, Andy, Kenny, and Lynsey and 8 great- grandchildren. Ken is preceded in death by his daughter, Sherry Novak, great- granddaughter Eve Gassen, and siblings, John Novak, and Geraldine Erb. Ken was born on March 27, 1929 to John and Josephine Novak. He grew up in Crosby, MN and played many sports taking their basketball team to state tourneys in 3 consecutive years. A scholarship basketball player at St. Cloud State University from 1947-51, he excelled becoming the first player to score 1,000 points and was all-conference his final 3 yrs. He was inducted in Who's Who in American Colleges & Universities academically and athletically. In 1950 he met the love of his life, Joan Larson and they married on July 26, 1952. They just celebrated 69 years. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951-53 serving at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. while playing for the Army team. He then played professionally for the Minneapolis Lakers before being traded to the Baltimore Bullets. Ken became the youngest head coach of St. Cloud State University in 1954 at 24 yrs. of age. He loved teaching his students while at Hopkins High for 31 yrs., retiring in 1987. He has been inducted into the MN Coaches, SCSU, Hopkins High, and Crosby High Hall of Fames. Ken had a very successful 69 year coaching career. Highlights were coaching with his son, Ken Jr., where they won 8 state basketball championships, 3 of them with his grandsons as players. He coached Hopkins girls' tennis for 15 yrs. where he coached two state champions. Ken influenced so many young lives through his love of family, respect for all, work ethic, and strong Catholic faith. He saw the good in all people, leaving life-long impressions and impacting the lives of those he met. Ken and Joan spent many summer days at their Bay Lake cabin near Deerwood, MN and have many cherished memories. We are grateful for the amazing caregivers that loved and cared for him these past months. Ken is loved and will be greatly missed and always remembered. Mass and burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Hopkins H.S. Basketball Boosters at P.O. Box 673, Wayzata, MN 55391 and to The BeliEve Foundation @ thebelievefoundation.org in honor of Eve and Sherry.

Published on August 4, 2021