Karen Faye (Witzig) Novinski of Minong, Wisconsin passed away peacefully Monday, March 13, 2017, at Rochester Mayo Methodist Hospital with loved ones by her side.
Karen was born on October 8, 1942 at a birthing house in Fennimore, Wisconsin, the daughter of Joseph and Virginia (Huffman) Witzig. On August 2, 1986 Karen married Gerald “Huck” Novinski and settled in Barron, Wisconsin. Karen’s legacy will be the fond memories she created with her family, friends, co-workers, and students.
Karen’s education began in a one room schoolhouse in Werley, Wisconsin. She was a 1960 graduate of Fennimore High School and later graduated from University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She worked several years for Edward Kramer & Sons, but found that teaching was her passion and joy. She touched the lives of many students in the Iowa-Grant and Barron school districts for many years having a positive impact with her students. Karen and Huck later moved to Minong after her retirement from teaching.
Karen truly enjoyed the endless fishing trips with her husband, winters in Texas, golfing, ATV-ing, trips with her sister and niece, crossword puzzles, reading, and having a good time with family and friends.
Karen is survived by many loving family members including her beloved husband Gerald “Huck” Novinski of Minong, stepchildren Scott (Bobbi) Novinski of Denver, CO, Stacy (Nikki) Novinski of White Fish Bay, and Sheila (Jason) Erb of Barron, brother William (Candace) Witzig of Jonestown, TX, sister Kathy (Richard Hanson) Witzig of Fennimore, WI, sister-in-laws Mary Ellen (Ron) Karnitz, Char (Jerry) Larson, Elaine “Bink” (Jerry) Sevart, grandchildren Tyler (Bridgit) Novinski, Talon Novinski, Trey Novinski, Drew Novinski, Ella Novinski, Elizabeth Erb, and Jacqueline Erb, great-grand-daughter Melani Novinski; niece Natalie Luhman, great-niece and nephew Madison and Austin Witzig and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, brother-in-laws Bill, Walter and Gord Novinska; sister-in-law Florence Halverson, and nephew Brett Witzig.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Church in Barron with Father Bala Raju Policetty and Father Gerard Willger officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, March 17, 2017 from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron and one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning at the church. Additional visitation will be held Sunday, March 19, 2017 from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore, Wisconsin followed by a private burial.