Roseanne C. “Cookie” Novak, of Wisconsin Dells, passed away suddenly March 25, 2019, at home after a long battle with COPD.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at Roseberry’s Funeral Home.
Roseanne was born in November 1943 in Chicago, to Walter and Florence Grzyb. She attended Jones Commercial High School in Chicago. While in high school, she met Leonard “Lenny” Novak, and they were married in Nov 1962 in Chicago. This marriage was blessed with three children, Rosalind, Anita, and Lenard. They were married for 49 years.
Together with her husband, Lenny, “Cookie” (as many knew her) left the city behind for their dream destination of Wisconsin. There, the “dream team” pursued many endeavors including adult foster home care, owning a Bed N’ Breakfast, a resale shop, and ceramic production. In the 1980s, she and her husband were instrumental in the formation of the Adams County Humane Society, and Roseanne was their first president. She was a member and the President of the Juneau County ARC for many years. Aside from her relentless devotion to four-legged animals and the community of “Special People,” she loved her children and grand-children and sister very much and always had time for them. Her dream of remaining in her home throughout her illness was made allowable by devoted family members, especially her son, Lenny, and sister, Shirley.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Novak; her parents, Walter and Florence Grzyb and her grandson, Leonard Dwayne Carter.
Survivors include daughters, Rosalind (Ron) Lyness, and Anita (Chuck) Carter of Friendship; a son, Lenard (Lynn) Novak; granddaughter: Annette Lueck; grandsons, Cole and Cade Carter; and sister, Shirley Petruzzo.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Novak Family. Cookie was a wonderful friend, fellow animal lover and the person who you would want with you when fighting for a cause. Adams county and all the creatures in its borders were fortunate to have Cookie fighting for them!! I can never thank Cookie and her family enough for the 2 wonderful gifts of Tickles and Angel. Rest in peace.
Thinking of you all even from afar! She was a wonderful lady and we will miss her greatly. Keegan and I were very glad to have gotten to visit with her shortly before we left. I have spent a lot of time at her house over the years, and I will cherish these times of respite and conversation always. I am glad she is able to be with Lenny again! Rest in peace, Cookie!
Cookie was a strong and caring woman. We are all so sorry for your loss.
Mary Lou Roy Family, Traut (Christison) Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you all
I had the pleasure of working with Cookie in the resale business. It was fun to see all of the things she had. Even after closing for many years, she remembered what I had brought her to sell!!
Our condolences to Cookies family. So sorry to hear of her passing. She was a sweet, compassionate woman that I had always enjoyed talking to.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Cookie was a wonderful lady and I enjoyed all of her stories. I will miss her.
I’m sorry for your loss and will miss Cookie. Working with her was always meaningful and she had a way of keeping me on my “A” game, which I appreciated greatly.
So sorry to hear about Cookie. We had many nice conversations especially about the health and welfare of people with illnesses and diabilities. God Love her
Anita and family-
We are so sorry for your loss!! Your mother sounds so much like you Anita! Generous and dedicated to our community! God bless!! All of our sympathies!
Scott, Becky and family
I’m so sorry for your loss. Cookie had such a loving spirit, so kind to all in her care. She will be deeply missed.
So very sorry for your loss. May the memories you share with her ease the heartbreak. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. **Hugs**
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I knew Cookie from respite camp and had the priviledge of getting to know her through my work there. She was an amazing lady!
Our thoughts and prayers to the Novak family and Shirley. So very sorry for your loss, Cookie will be dearly missed. A very sweet lady that was always there for us, we were blessed to have her as a neighbor and a friend.
Sending my sympathy to Cookie’s family. The struggle with COPD is a long hard road, may she now rest in peace.
Thoughts and Prayers are with you during this difficult times. She had a heart of gold, always willing to help where needed.
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Cookie. She was such a dear friend and I know she will be missed by so many. Our hearts go out to the whole family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. With much love Frank and Pam Kauzlarich.
So very sorry to hear about your loss.
We’re so sorry for your loss. Sending thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace.
Our thoughts and prayers for your family.