Gloria J. Novacek

Hastings resident Gloria J. “June” Novacek, 85, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at The Kensington, Hastings, NE.    

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at North Shore Assembly of God in Hastings with Pastor Chris Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation will be 1-8 p.m. with the family present 6-8 p.m., Friday, May 31, at the funeral home, and one hour before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family for a memorial to be set up at the Gothenburg Impact Center providing daycare and early childhood education. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to June’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

June was born June 25, 1938, to Wilbur and Alice (LaVigne) Hauptman in Auburn, NE. She graduated high school from Nebraska City and attended Peru State College in the fall. There she met her husband, Jerry “Pat” Novacek, and were married on August 18, 1957.

June worked several jobs in her life. At a young age, she worked on the family farm helping her mom and four older siblings try to maintain it after her father was killed in a farming accident. In her teen years, she helped at her stepdad’s restaurant. After marrying Pat and moving to Huron, SD for Pat to finish college, June stayed home with the kids while Pat worked on his master's degree. They moved around a lot following Pat’s teaching and coaching career, and June worked as a study hall supervisor, managed a college bookstore, drove a preschool bus, and was a church secretary before starting an in-home daycare in Gothenburg, NE. She ran the daycare for 25 years caring for over 200 kids in that time. With Pat teaching and coaching and June’s daycare, they touched the lives of almost every child in Gothenburg during that time.

June supported her coaching husband and four children who each competed in three sports in high school. She will always be remembered for ringing a cowbell relentlessly at football games celebrating any positive play for the Swedes.

 June was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerry “Pat” Novacek; two sisters; and one brother.  

SURVIVORS:

Children & Spouses:              
    Jim & Julie Novacek – Aliquippa, PA

    Jody Novacek – Hastings, NE

    Jay & Amy Novacek – Joshua, TX

    Jason “Bump” & Freeda Novacek – Glenvil, NE
Grandchildren:                       
    Joyce Ragard

    Becky Novacek

    Grace Novacek

    Janice Novacek

    Karson Novacek

    Blake Novacek

    Anna Novacek

    McKinley Novacek
Great-Grandchildren:             
    Cole Ragard

    Luca Ragard

    Ronen Imani-Novacek

    Logan Imani-Novacek

    Jeremiah Day

    And one on the way
Sister:                                     
    Mary Moore – Blue Hill, NE
Numerous Nieces, Nephews, and other extended family and friends.