Thief River Falls - Emily Bizek, 94, died Tuesday, June 29, 1999 at the CNC Unit of Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, 1999 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls with Father Tim Bushy officiating. Elizabeth Odette was the organist, and Shelly Burkel was the cantor. Casketbearers were Daniel Olson, Joshua Olson, Tim Rinowski, Mike Rinowski, Anthony Rinowski, Matthew Rinowski and Alex Rydell. The Green Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Emily Mary Novak was born on November 5, 1904 on her family's farm near Tabor, the daughter of Joseph and Emily (Kopecky) Novak. She was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith at Tabor and attended a country school near Tabor.
On November 24, 1925 she was united in marriage to Lawrence Bizek in Tabor. The couple moved to Minneapolis where they lived for a short time before moving to Greenbush where they owned and operated Bizek's Tavern for several years.
The Bizek family moved to Thief River Falls, and Emily worked at the Rex Cafe for several years. For a short period of time, the family also lived in Grand Forks, ND. After Lawrence died in 1964, Emily returned to Thief River Falls where she had since resided.
She was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church and enjoyed flowers, plants, cooking, baking, needlework and playing cards.
Emily is survived by two daughters, Aileen (Harry) Rinowski of West Fargo, ND and Martha (Bob) Hall of Grant's Pass, OR; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and four great great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Ernest; her parents; four brothers, Joseph, William, Edwin and Anthony; one sister, Helen; and two infant grandchildren. A00003B1999JL07