Shirley A. Nowak
Shirley A. Nowak passed away peacefully January 1, 2026, from her battle with ovarian cancer. She lived her final weeks surrounded by family, laughter and love in the home of her grandchildren, Rayce and Leif Dahleen.
Shirley was born to Otto and Ursula Swan in Posen November 16, 1937, the middle child with siblings Ray and Carol (James Buczkowski).
She met her husband, Ervin “Erv” R. Nowak, while in line at the post office, and began their courtship at the local dance. They were married June 23 in 1956. This was the beginning of a beautiful partnership that included owning successful businesses, travel adventures, and raising seven children of their own and taking many others under their wings as if they were their own: Kris (Jodie Herron), Kurt (Janet Fey), Lisa (Roy Wimmer), Aimee (Rodney Krueger), Michelle (Carlos Borges), Ervin (Charla Miller), David (Ann Brege), Jorge Lujan (Lezli), and Guy’s son Chuck and Teresa Moulds and their family.
Shirley was a renaissance woman with many interests and pursuits. She successfully owned a business, Nowak’s Window, Door and Cabinet Co. for more than 40-plus years. She was active in the community, joining clubs and participating in town activities. She obtained her private pilot certificate in 1967 and flew many miles with her husband Erv until his passing in 2004. Her travels and interests led her to have friendships from near and far, and she will be remembered for her intelligence, beauty, fun sense of humor, generosity, quiet strength and sense of style. Shirley took up golf in her later years with her second husband, Guy Moulds, and formed many friendships in retirement participating in Mah-jongg, yoga, and card games at community centers. Her love of learning had her taking online classes (to keep up with technology), trying new recipes, and daily Wordle on the family thread. She was most proud of her gardens, both on U.S.-23 and on Second Avenue. Her neighbors knew her for her constant colorful yard and cup of coffee on the back deck.
She was preceded in death by her first husband Ervin Roy Nowak, her second husband Guy Moulds, and her son Ervin Ray Nowak.
Her legacy is her children and grandchildren, Rylee Nowak, Nick Elliott, Rayce (Leif) Dahleen, Jena (Michael) Forde, Brian (Lauren) Krueger, Spencer Wright, Olivia Wright, Tanner Nowak and Olivia Herron. She was blessed with great-grandchildren
Shirley’s family invites you to a celebration of her life Saturday, February 7, from 1 to 4 p.m., at JJ’s Steak & Pizza House, 411 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena.
Donations in her memory may be given to Friends Together, 105 Prentiss, Alpena, Michigan 49707 or Hospice of Michigan -Alpena.
Online condolences may be addressed through www.beckfuneralhome.org.
