June 30, 1953 – December 11, 2025
My mom, Jeanette Novak, passed away peacefully at Hospice Alliance – Hospice House in Kenosha, WI, on December 11, 2025. She was born on June 30, 1953, in Wakefield, MI, and grew up in the small town of Ewen. In 1971, she graduated from Ewen-Trout Creek High School and then attended Suomi College (now Finlandia University). She moved to Kenosha in 1973.
She married my dad, Mark Novak, on July 5, 1975. They shared 45 years together before he passed away in August of 2020. Together, they raised one daughter (me), Amy Carlton (Sheldon), and later welcomed two granddaughters, Laney and Lexi, who were truly the light of her life.
Mom worked as an EKG technician at St. Catherine’s Hospital and Kenosha Hospital for many years, until her retirement in 2015. She loved her job and the people she worked with.
My mom was one of the most selfless people I’ve ever known. She never wanted to be a burden to anyone and always cared more about others than herself. Her kindness, quiet strength, and genuine heart touched everyone who knew her.
She loved animals and had a soft spot for every animal that crossed her path. Every spring when I was growing up, my mom looked forward to planting flowers, and I’ll always cherish our talks about which ones to plant and how to make them thrive. Those little moments meant everything.
She sure loved her granddaughters and was so proud of the young women they’re becoming. Her love for them will always be felt in our hearts.
She is survived by her daughter, Amy Carlton; her “favorite son-in-law”, Sheldon Carlton; her granddaughters, Laney and Lexi; her sister, Annette (Ronald) Haapala; her brother Gordon (Brenda) Franti; and several loving brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Mark; brothers, Rodney and Marvin Franti; and her parents, Arne and Florence (Fors) Franti. And I know she’s getting lots of tail wags and kisses in heaven from her dogs, Sadie and Harley.
A visitation will be held at Proko Funeral Home in Kenosha on Tuesday, December 16th, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
We’ll miss her every single day, but we’re comforted knowing she’s at peace. Her love, sense of humor, and gentle spirit will stay with us forever.
Thank you to the caring staff at Hospice Alliance, and a special thank you to her home caregiver, Kia, with whom she formed a special relationship in a short amount of time.
