Michael Nowak

Michael “Mike” R. Nowak, 62, of rural Elba, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, April 2, 2023.

Funeral services were held on Friday, April 7, 2023 at Jacobsen-Greenway- Dietz Funeral Home at St. Paul. Father Richard Piontkowski presided. Music selections included “How Great Thou Art,” “If I Can Dream,” and “My Way,” all by Elvis Presley. Pallbearers included Tim Wells, Arden Svoboda, Robert Svoboda, Leland Studley, and Tony Morrow. Interment was in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Elba.

Jacobsen-Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home of St. Paul assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Elba St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery or Elba Fire and Rescue.

Mike was born November 15, 1960 to Ray and Margie Nowak, at St. Paul, Nebraska. He grew up in the Elba area, graduating from Elba High School in 1979. While in school, he was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball, and track, lettering all four years of high school.

Mike was a proud citizen of Howard County. He was first employed at the Elba Co-Op and Grain in Elba after high school. Mike farmed with his dad for a while, then had his own hay baling business and worked for Novotny Roofing. He volunteered to mark graves at the Elba Cemetery. Mike was a former member of the Elba Fire and Rescue Department and served as a Village of Elba board member for two terms.

Mike is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia Nowak and Jeff Kane of Florida; aunts, Helen Svoboda of St. Paul and Burdette Jacobsen of Grand Island; special friend, Bobbie Jo Graybill; and numerous cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Margie Nowak; maternal grandparents, Anton and Barbara Jurzenski; and paternal grandparents, Bert and Gertrude Nowak.