Leonard A. Novak

Leonard Allen Novak Grand Marais, Michigan August 23, 1947 ---- August 20, 2025

Artist, Leonard (Len) Allen Novak, 77, of Grand Marais, Michigan, died August 20, 2025, in the lake he loved and revered, Lake Superior.

Len was best known for his big smile, hearty laughter and his fun way of introducing himself; “Hi, I’m Len Novak,” as he’d extend his hand. He had a passion for dancing, paddling his copper-colored canoe and creating one-of-a-kind artistic creations. These creations included drums, dreamcatchers, “Lake Essence Percussion” pieces, rattles, birdhouses, wire-wrapped stones and more. While he would occasionally order rawhide, he mostly used items he or a friend would find in nature. Most often the hides he used in his creations had been given him by local hunters. Len was born in Hancock, Wisconsin on August 23, 1947, to Leonard Anton and Marjorie Helen (Citta-Branstetter) Novak. Len grew up on Fish Lake in Waushara County near Hancock, WI at his family’s Lakeside Lodge, where he and his parents shared hotel space with aunts, uncles, cousins and a grandmother. For a period of time, he and his parents had their own cabin on the lodge property. Lakeside Lodge included cabins, a supper club, dance hall and bowling alley.

Len frequently recounted the carefree life he had as a youth and the horrific end of the lodge in a fire, which claimed the life of his mother in 1972.

He graduated from Tri-County High in Hancock, WI, where he was quarterback on the football team. He never lost the love of tossing the football and would often engage family and friends in the tossing and catching experience.

Len earned a bachelor’s in economics from Wisconsin State University-Stevens Point.

Before creating art became his passion, he worked as an alcohol and substance abuse counselor and a counselor in a group home for mentally challenged adults.

Len spent much of his young adult life helping to raise his sons, Ryan and Barry, in Almond, WI. He also spent his adult years living close to the water, from living in a tent on the shore of the Wisconsin River in Spring Green, WI, to living in a tipi on the shore of Lake Superior near Copper Harbor, MI, to more traditional housing on the Ridge in Grand Marais to the Grand Marais Apartments. Even while living in a house on the Ridge, he had a tipi in which he continued to create his art. His apartment looked like an art gallery.

During his years of living in the Keweenaw he spent much time teaching youth and adults the art of creating dreamcatchers, drums, clay sculptures and more.

Len was preceded in death by his son, Ryan Novak, of Almond, WI; his parents, Leonard and Marjorie Novak, and a dear cousin, Cheryl Brenza.

He is survived by his son Barry Novak, of Waupaca, WI; the mother of his sons, Karen Loparco; many cousins; and special friends, Carol Rose, Roslyn McGrath and Jamey Gheller.

Len had many friends and so many he called “best friends” or “special friends,” this obituary could never hold all the names. Those who knew him will remember him saying “I love you, friend.”

A gathering was held in Grand Marais on August 29 in the “Shed” next to the former Fish Net House with his art on display. There will be at least three more gatherings this coming spring and summer. One will be in Grand Marais, MI, another in his beloved Keweenaw Peninsula and one on or near Fish Lake in Wisconsin.

Len’s family and friends would like to thank all who were involved in the search for him and then the recovery of his body, including the US Coast Guard, National Park Service, Alger County Sheriff’s Office, and the Burt Township Ambulance and Fire Department.

The three organizations listed below were dear to Len’s heart, and you are invited to send a donation to any of them in his memory.

The Dan Schmitt Gift of Music and Education Fund https://www.dsgiftofmusic.org 2239 N Farmers Block Rd Allouez, MI 49805 

Grand Marais Helping Hands Food Pantry PO Box 322 Grand Marais, MI 49839

Grand Marais Historical Society PO Box 179 Grand Marais, MI 49839