Robert J. 'Bob' Novotny

Robert J. Novotny, 91, died at the Sleepy Eye Care Center on Wednesday, November 21 after a short battle with cancer. Robert Novotny was born on a farm near New Prague, MN to Martin and Mary Novotny on August 24, 1927. He attended St. Wensceslaus Catholic Grade School and graduated from New Prague Public School in 1945. After serving in the Army, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota majoring in Agricultural Education and Science. It is here where he met Doris Snyder from International Falls, MN. Doris majored in Music Education. Robert started teaching Vocational Agriculture at Sleepy Eye in 1951 and later taught Junior High Science. His wife, Doris, started a lifelong vocation of giving piano lessons. In 1968 he joined the Berkner Agency in the Farm Sales Division. And later buying the Sleepy Eye office. Bob Novotny enjoyed life; seldom without a smile and friendly greeting. He was always pleasant to associate with. He grew up on a farm, loved the outdoors, and enjoyed a love of all animals. Bob enjoyed hunting, golfing, riding horses and giving hayrides and sleigh rides with horses, swimming, playing cards, ballroom dancing, making homemade wine, bike riding, and family sing-a-longs with his concertina . He had quite a sense of humor. Bob will be missed dearly by family and all those who knew him. Bob and Doris had five children - Wayne (Jacque) of Sleepy Eye, Martin (Jan) of Willmar, Pat (Lee) Bergstrom of St. Cloud, Carl (deceased), and Barb Zimmerman of Mound. Grandchildren - Jessica (Sean) Couillard, Justin (Mandy) Novotny, Peter Novotny, Ben (Amber)Bergstrom, Jenny (Curt) Morgan, Nick (Angela)Novotny, Courtney (Nate) Naumann, Andrew Novotny, Josie Zimmerman, and Jack Zimmerman. Great- grandchildren : Zoey Novotny, Sullivan Novotny, Hadley Morgan, Rylee Bergstrom, Clara Couillard, Victor Novotny, Addison Morgan, Ian Bergstrom and baby Couillard due in December. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Doris, his parents, brothers Emmanuel and Ben Novotny, and son, Carl Novotny. Bob has donated his body to the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, where it will be used for research education and experimentation. In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials are preferred to the donors choice. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Monday, November 26, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Visitation 2 9:00 am - 10:00 am Tuesday, November 27, 2018 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Service Information 10:30 am Tuesday, November 27, 2018 St. Mary's Catholic Church-Sleepy Eye 636 1st Ave. North Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Interment Information St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery 720 3rd Ave. N.E. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085