Deb Novak, age 58, of Brookings, died Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls due to complications of diabetes. Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at First Lutheran Church in Volga. Visitations will be from 5-7 P.M. Tuesday at Eidsness Funeral Chapel in Volga.

Deborah Jean (Pederson, Benson) Novak was born February 8, 1952, at Brookings, South Dakota, to Dale and Jean (Erickson) Pederson. She was baptized at Olivet Presbyterian Church in Volga and attended Volga Elementary and Jr. High School. She moved with her family to Glenwood, Minnesota, in 1967 and then Jackson, Minnesota, in 1969 where she attended high school. She was formally adopted by her step-dad, Gaylord Benson, in 1968. She married Frank Thompson in February 1970. Their son, Clayton, was born January 11, 1975. Debbie moved several times over the years, living in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa, before settling in at Pipestone, Minnesota, where she met and married Laddie Novak on August 12, 2006. The Novaks moved to Brookings in 2007.

Debbie loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them, even though health issues prevented her from doing so in recent years. She had a special love for animals; she loved to sing and was always up for karaoke. In November 2009 she celebrated the 29th anniversary of sobriety.

Survivors include her husband, Laddie Novak, of Brookings, and his children; her son, Clayton (Leanna) Thompson, of Brookings; two granddaughters: Shaylene and Nowella Thompson of Brookings; four brothers: Ken (Nila) Pederson of Brewster, Minnesota, Larry (Deb) Pederson of Brookings, Tom Pederson of Springfield, South Dakota, and Eric (Karie) Benson of Volga; two sisters: Wendi (Jim) Peterson and Deanna (Kevin) Wilson, both of Volga; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a nephew.