Barbara Novak Hegge of Plymouth, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota on January 10, 2022, at age 69, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Barbara Mary Novak was born in Brainerd, Minnesota on February 8, 1952 to Thomas and Catherine Novak.  She attended Belle Plaine High School, followed by the University of South Dakota, Springfield, studying and earning a degree in English and Education.  She later received a Masters of Education from St. Mary's University. She spent many years helping to manage her family owned drug store, Novak Drug, in Belle Plaine, MN.  Later she began teaching again and worked as a principal in the Twin Cities. 

As a young person, Barb enjoyed time spent at her family's cabin on Lake Alexander, swimming, water skiing, sailing and agate hunting.  As a college student she and her roommate, also named Barb, wrote a column in the college newspaper titled Barb's Barbs, where they discussed things from campus life to current political issues.  

In June of 1974, Barb married her love, LeRoy Hegge.  Together they had two sons, Luke and Thomas.  Barb absolutely loved being a wife and mother.  She thrived in the hustle and bustle of her children's many sports and activities and was fully devoted to her family.  Barb was ecstatic to become a grandmother.  Her two grandchildren brought her so much joy.  She and LeRoy helped provide daycare to their two grandchildren, thus forming a special and unbreakable bond.  Barb enjoyed reading, baking, swimming, jewelry and travel.  Most of all she enjoyed her time with friends and family.  She got much enjoyment from setting a beautiful table and serving a delicious meal to those she loved.

Barb is survived by her devoted and loving husband LeRoy; sons Luke (Lindsay) and Thomas Hegge; grandchildren Sophia and Benjamin Hegge; sister Kathy (Tom) Gilbert; nieces and nephews, Tom (Julie and children Abbey, Annie, and Jack), Katie (Mike and children Liam, Cat and Claire), Barbie (Efron and children Caroline and Tommy), Chris Lenhart (son James); and many loving friends.  Barb was predeceased in death by parents, Thomas and Catherine Novak; sister, Elizabeth Novak; niece, Amy Novak Lenhart.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the medical teams at Mayo Clinic and Minnesota Oncology, and especially the staff of Station 72 for the tireless care Barb received.  

Mass with Luncheon to Follow Celebrating the Life of Barb on April 29, 2022
Saint Bartholomew of Wayzata 
630 Wayzata Blvd, Wayzata, MN 55391

Visitation 11:00 am
Mass 12:00 pm
Luncheon 1:00 pm

All friends and family are welcome to Luke and Lindsay's home in Cottage Grove following the luncheon.