Frank and Anastasia remained single. Mary married George Heroid. After Thomas’s death Katherine married Charles Hruska and they had 4 children: Eleanor (m. Anton Suchan); Victoria, Charles and Anna all remained single. Marie or Mary also married but no information could be found as to who she married and if she had children. Thomas married Veronica Philip, daughter of widow Philip. They had 8 children: Edward E. (m. May Silhacek); Ludwig or Lewis (m. Teresa Novotny); Henry (m. Ann Hovarka); Bertha (m. Joe Sobolik); Maggie (m. Joseph Barnes); Mayme (m. Albert Mikesh); Veronica (m. Mike Barnes); and Elizabeth (m. Charles Tupy).

Mary’s children were: Anna (m. Albert Kacher): Wenzel (m. Anna Suchan): Albert (m. Mary Slebiska); and Rossali (m. Frank Hayek).

Novak, John F. and Emma (Wacha)

(Phyllis Riehle)

John F. Novak was born 20 Jan 1908 on a farm near Spillville to Francis J. and Ludmila (Dostal) Novak. He farmed with his parents, brother Louis and sisters Mary, Christina, Helen and Lydia. John was a member of the Spillville Band at a very young age. He also had his own orchestra known as Johnie and his Tune Crackers" and later the “Rhythm J's.” They played at many dances and also over Cedar Rapids and Waterloo radio and TV stations.

On 8 May 1934 John married Emma Wacha, daughter of Joseph and Jenny (Zak) Wacha, in our Lady of Lourdes Church at Lourdes, IA. They had 5 children: Phyllis M. (m. Julius Riehle); John J. (m. Viola M. Schmitt); Norma Jean “Tami" (m. Hal Townley); David (m. Jenny Schroeder); and Joanna (m. Fred Murray). John with his wife and family farmed near Spillville until they retired and moved to Spillville, across the street from the Bily Clocks. Emma worked as a tour guide at the Bily Clocks during the summer. John F. passed away 5 Jul 1971. After his death Emma spent her winters in Phoenix, AZ coming back to work at Bily Clocks during the summer. In the summer of 1976 Emma went back to Youngtown, AZ and married Harry B. Elliott in the Church of St. Joachine and St. Anne of Sun City. The marriage was performed by the Rev. Father McCoughey. Harry and Emma lived in Youngtown, AZ. Emma died from cancer 1 Mar 1991 and is buried at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery in Spillville, beside her first husband, John F. Novak.

Novak, Joseph and Anna (Bouska)

(Rebecca Neuzil)

Joseph P Novak was born Mar 1848 in Bohemia to John and Anna (Vlasaty) Novak. He came to America in 1853 with his parents. His mother died on the journey. Joseph married Anna Bouska in 1870. She was born 1 Jun 1850 in Borovany, Bohemia to Frank and Josephine (Koudelka) Bouska.

Joseph and Anna farmed east of Spillville on a farm in Winneshiek Co., Calmar Twp., Section 21. It is presently owned by Daniel Swehla. Joseph and Anna had 10 children: Emma (b. 30 Aug 1872) m. John Humpal; Stella (b. Feb 1873) m. John Dvorak: William (b. 25 Oct 1876) m. Hadie Sydow; Lucy (b. 27 Mar 1879) m. Edward Sbiral; Louis (Alois) (b. 3 Jun 1881) m. Otille Margaret Kubesh; James (b. 1883) m. Irene Warren; Christine (b. 17 Apr 1885) m. John Frana; Ted (b. 1886) never married; David (b. 29 Feb 1888) m. Grace Benda; and Benjamin Arthur (b. 19 Jan 1892) m. Stella Klimesh.

Novak, Steve and Ruth Ann (Fretheim)

(Ruth C. Fretheim)

Ruth Ann (Fretheim) and Steve Novak family
Left to right, front: Ruth Ann Novak and Megan Leigh Novak. Back row: Steve Novak and Cody Stuart. Taken in 1995.

Steve Novak was born to Allan and Marilyn Novak. Steve married Ruth Ann Fretheim. She was born at Decorah, lA to Herbert and Ruth (Bjerkvig) Fretheim. They have 2 children, both born at Decorah: Cody Joseph Stuart and Megan Leigh. Cody goes to school in Cresco. Megan will be going to school in Ridgeway in 1996.

Steve graduated from Crestwood High School, Cresco, IA in 1978. He attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO for 3 years. Steve served with the Army Reserves in Decorah from Feb 1983 to Feb 1995. He is presently self-employed and does custom work for farmers. Ruth Ann attended grade school in Decorah and graduated from Decorah High School in 1977. She has been employed at Rockwell Collins in Decorah since 1978. Steve is a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cresco and Ruth Ann is a member of the Madison Lutheran Church, rural Ridgeway.

Nystuen/Smedsrud Family

(W Gordon Smedsrud)

Anton Nystuen was born 2 Feb 1830 near the end of the Rands Fjord, Sondra Land, Norway to Gulbrand and Mari Nystuen. He married Agnette Petersdtr Waslien. They had 7 children: Hans, Gilbert, Peter, Mari, Johanne, Olave and Christianne (died in infancy). The family immigrated to Jefferson Twp., Allamakee Co. in the U. S. 14 Jun 1876.