Audie Novacek, 83
Adolph "Audie" Novacek, 83, of Red Oak, passed away suddenly Saturday, April 7, 2012, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak.
Adolph "Audie" Joseph Novacek was born the second son of Joseph and Ruzena Rose (Malimanekova) Novacek Sept. 17, 1928, in Omaha. In 1937, the family moved to a small farm outside of Gretna, Neb. Audie attended a one room school with several classmates, who later became his in-laws.
Audie began his career as a mechanic by serving as a Mechanic’s Assistant during World War II at Ak-Sar-Ben Field while still at South High School in Omaha. After graduating from high school, he entered the U.S. Army and served during the Korean Conflict by building early warning radar sites across the islands of northeastern Canada.
Upon his discharge, Audie married Carol Jean Koutsky, of Omaha, March 29, 1953.
He worked for the Caterpillar dealer, Missouri Valley Machinery in Omaha for 30 years. He served in a variety of positions, primarily as a resident serviceman out of Red Oak. His yellow service truck was a common sight around town and southwest Iowa. After personnel cut backs during the 1982 recession, Audie opened A & R Technical Services in Red Oak and continued serving his southwest Iowa clientele for many years.
After slowly exiting the business, he began his retirement filled with travel including several trips to the Czech Republic. He enjoyed promoting his Czech culture and loved fishing on any pond or lake.
A loving husband, father and overall kind person, Audie was a good samaritan in every sense. He was always willing to help another person and served in many supporting roles in the Red Oak Police Reserve, Red Oak Optimist Club and BPOE Elks #1304. Audie was a member of the Omaha Czech Cultural Club and past president of the Nebraska Czechs. For many years, he was the igniter at the annual Independence Day fireworks show in Red Oak.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother, Jaroslav “Jerry.”
Audie is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carol Jean (Koutsky) Novacek, of Red Oak; daughter, Bronwyn (Mike) Kutsch, of Austin, Texas; son, Bradley (Paula) Novacek, of Phoenix; six grandchildren, Brandon (Lisa) Kutsch, of Austin, Amanda Kutsch, of Chicago, Katrina Kutsch, of Dallas, and Maria, James and Stephanie Novacek, of Phoenix; and great-grandson, Joshua Kutsch, of Austin; in addition to other relatives and friends.
Funeral service will take place Saturday, April 14, at 11 a.m., at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home in Red Oak. Visitation with the family present will be Friday evening from 6:30-8 p.m., at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home.
Memorials may be directed to the Omaha Czech Cultural Club or to the Red Oak Public Library. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com. Services are entrusted to Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home.