DeAnne K. Novotny

Obituary

DeAnne Kay Novotny was born on January 28, 1940, in Winnebago, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Theodore and Zelda (Hartmann) Lohmann. DeAnne was baptized as an infant at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Winnebago, Minnesota, and later confirmed in her faith as a youth at St. James Lutheran Church in Northrop, Minnesota. She received her education in Fairmont, Minnesota, and was a graduate of the Fairmont High School Class of 1958.

On October 5, 1963, DeAnne was united in marriage to Norman “Gus” Novotny at St. James Lutheran Church in Northrop. They resided in Minneapolis, Minnesota until 1965, when they moved to East Chain, Minnesota, where they owned and operated a service station and welding shop. In 1974, DeAnne and Norman moved to Bird Island, Minnesota to farm. They shared 47 years of marriage prior to the passing of Norman on June 20, 2011.

DeAnne held employment as a Ward Clerk at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis and Ad Accountant for the Minneapolis Star Tribune Newspaper and later, the Fairmont Daily Sentinel Newspaper. When they moved to Bird Island, she was also employed at the Bird Island Union Newspaper. DeAnne decided on a change of career and became a Home Health Aide with Renville County Home Health. She served as the Township Secretary for Osceola Township for over 20 years and was awarded for her service. DeAnne retired in 2009. She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Bird Island and active with their quilting guild.

DeAnne enjoyed volunteering at various organizations and the county fair. She played the piano and sang with the Renville County Choir. DeAnne was a superb cook and baker of excellent desserts. She liked “digging in the dirt” of her garden and put up the produce from the garden as well as quilting, sewing, and embroidering. DeAnne cherished spending time with her family, friendships with the “birthday club”, and her special neighbors, Steve and Thea Swanson and their family.

In 2019, when DeAnne needed assistance with her care, she moved to Prairie View Assisted Living in Hector, where she passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the age of 85 years.

Blessed be her memory.

DeAnne is survived by her:
Sisters, Carole Lohmann of Fairmont, MN,
Barb Schultze of Northrop, MN;
Sisters-in-law, Barb Lohmann of Plymouth, MN,
Karen Nelson of Menagha, MN,
Betty Novotny of Bird Island, MN;
Brother-in-law, Frank Novotny of Hutchinson, MN;
Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, and other relatives and friends.

DeAnne is preceded in death by her Parents, Theodore and Zelda Lohmann; Husband, Norman Novotny; Brother, David Lohmann; Father- and Mother-in-law, Charles and Esther Novotny; Brothers-in-law, Kenneth Schultze, Ron Novotny, Loren Novotny, Forrest Nelson.