- Date Of Birth: October 6, 1909
- Date Of Death: June 11, 2012
- State: Michigan
Ellen Novacek, 102, of Three Oaks, Michigan died Sunday afternoon, June 10, 2012 at Riveridge Manor in Niles, Michigan.Ellen and her twin sister, Helen were born October 6, 1909, at the family farm in Three Oaks to Joseph and Belle (Glossinger) Novacek. The farm was her home for Ninety-Three years.
She attended Basswood School, walking the 3 miles to school each day. Ellen worked with her parents and 5 siblings on the family’s fruit farm. They grew apples, grapes, berries and vegetables. They took their produce to the Benton Harbor Fruit Exchange, and later, sold to grocery stores in Indiana and Illinois. Ellen’s family owned Novacek’s Grocery Store on Red Arrow Highway in Union Pier at one time, as well as operating a milk delivery service for Producers Creamery in Benton Harbor.
After retiring from farming, Ellen and her sister, Helen, tended a beautiful one acre garden for many years at the family home they continued to share. Ellen enjoyed activities at the Union Pier Community Center. She lived life with enthusiasm, playing Bingo and Bunco, going on outings with her family and also with the friends she made at Riveridge, and even participated in the Senior Olympics.
Survivors include her nieces and nephews, Patricia (Robert)Peterek of Niles, Michigan; Nancy (William) Garvey of Shereville, Indiana; Joseph Novacek of Union Pier, Michigan; James (Carol) Waaso of Asheville, North Carolina; Susan (Dennis) Armstrong of Highland, Michigan; Jerry Novacek of Union Pier and Candy (Wayne) Freehling of Sawyer, Michigan; 35 great nieces and nephews; 27 great great nieces and nephews and 2 great great great nieces and nephews. Ellen was preceded in death by her twin sister, Hellen on September 17, 2003. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Bessie Waaso, brothers, Charles, Anton and Jess, niece Daryl Sullivan and nephews Chuck, David and Richard.
