Samantha Jo Novak, 27, of Austin, Minnesota, died Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Marys Campus-Rochester.

Samantha was born on Dec. 26, 1990, at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin to Jason and Tonya Novak. She grew up in Austin and graduated from Austin High School in 2009.

Over the years, Samantha worked at Echo Lanes, Palmer Bus, Arby’s, Our House Memory Care, and Whispering Pines.

Samantha was baptized at First United Methodist Church as an infant and, when she turned six, she was confident in making the decision to be baptized by immersion, just as Jesus had, alongside her mother in Belle Plaine, Iowa.

Samantha enjoyed doing things with her family and friends. She had a great love of fishing and was so proud when she was able to finally put her own bait on and take the fish off without using gloves. She enjoyed taking pictures and had a great eye for it. Samantha could edit photos in a way that was so amazing.

The love of Samantha’s life was her dog, Daisy Mae. She was in shock the day her Grandma Novak and mom told her a “friend” was coming to visit her, then seeing us with a new puppy for her to love and spoil put the biggest sparkle in her eyes.  They went everywhere together and were inseparable.

Samantha was a special light in her parents’ lives, but she was also the light to everyone that knew and loved her; she will be greatly missed! We love you to the moon and back – to infinity and beyond, Samantha Jo!

Survivors include her parents, Jason and Tonya Novak, Rose Creek, Minnesota; brother, Alix Novak and significant other, Ashley Follmuth, Austin; grandparents, Jerry and Linda Novak, Austin, Gale and Carmen Heidecker, Austin, and Allan and Elizabeth Billings, Seneca, South Carolina; uncles and aunts, Spencer Novak, Austin, Tammie Braaten, Austin, Clint Billings, Milford, Iowa, Sara and Matt Thiessen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Paul and Erin Heidecker, Elk River, Minnesota; loving cousins, Clayton Novak, Darbee Novak, Ben Braaten, Emily Jacobson, Allison Braaten, Emily Billings, Bethany Thiessen and Carter Heidecker; and best friend, Daisy Mae.

She is preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Allet Clayton, Samuel Flory, Alden and Dorothy Lind.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dennis Tamke officiating. Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, July 9, 2018, at Mayer Funeral Home and also one hour on Tuesday before the service at the church. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.