Marna Novotny passed away Oct. 11, 2024. She was born Aug. 17, 1959, in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, to Majorie and Glenn Lund. She was raised in Eagle Grove, Iowa. After her father died in 1970, her mother remarried in 1974, and moved the family to a farm near Hardy, Iowa. As a child, Marna enjoyed living on the farm where she rode her horse “Lucky,” and rode motorcycles and snowmobiles. She loved going to the family cabin in Park Rapids, where she would swim, fish, ski and boat. She attended Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove, where she was baptized and confirmed. Marna graduated from Boone Valley High School in Renwick, Iowa, in 1977. She then attended Iowa State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree. She worked in Des Moines for several years before moving to Minnesota to raise her four children.
While raising her kids in Sauk Centre, Marna’s days were filled with sporting events, gardening, quilting, sewing and volunteering at First Lutheran Church. Marna married Brad Novotny May 23, 2015. They made their home in Brainerd where they enjoyed country living. Marna prided herself on being a hard worker. She loved reading, taking care of their chickens and helping on the farm. A proud grandma of 15 grandkids, Marna loved being called, “Grandma Doe.”
Marna is preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Marjorie, and stepfather Herman Vorland.
She is survived by her husband Bradley; her children Bryan Jensen, Kayla (Jake) Rosin, Adam (Amanda) Jensen, Rachel (Alex) Jensen; stepchildren Chad Novotny, Jessica (Justin) Schlegel, Racheal (Jason) Jacobson, John (Grace) Novotny and Cora (Isaiah) Novotny; grandchildren Hank, Gus, Sully, Jace, Ty, Huck, Lydia, Madeline, Peyton, Olivia, Emma, Jack, Luke, Will and Ellie; siblings Guy (Jan) Lund of Chandler, Arizona, Annette Lund (Bill Roach) of West Des Moines, Iowa, Gary (Deb) Lund of Eagle Grove, Iowa, and Lori (Blaine) McCurry of Johnston, Iowa; sisters-in-law Phyllis (Tom) Peterson, Jacki (Brian) Lemieux and Shelley Novotny.
A celebration of Marna’s life will be 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Baxter with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Iron Hub. The Rev. Gregg Coop will be officiating.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.
