Obituary: Shirley May (Cook) Nowosel

May 18, 1933 ~ June 29, 2021

Shirley May (Cook) Nowosel, 88, of Sturgeon Bay, WI, formerly of Glenview, IL, died Tuesday, June 29, 2021.

She was born May 18, 1933 in Evanston, IL, the daughter of George Gustave Cook and Rena Mae (Hardison) Cook.

Shirley was a devoted wife to Mathew “Matt” John, Nowosel, 89, for 68 years; and a loving and cherished mother to Karl Nowosel of Rio Rancho, NM and Karen (John) Nowosel-Haen of Sturgeon Bay, WI. She considered the past eight years of residing in Sturgeon Bay, like living in Mayberry.

Shirley was an avid reader who loved listening to Bluegrass, George Jones, Willie Nelson. Shirley loved shopping, canning, and spending time at her favorite place: “the Farm” where Karen and John live. She also enjoyed traveling to New Mexico to visit Karl, cooking up meals for him, experiencing the balloon fiesta, and southwest art fairs.

While living in Door County, WI, Shirley was active in Learning in Retirement, Peninsula Planters Garden Club, and ushering at Peninsula Players, and always enjoyed meeting and chatting with all the people she met.

She will be (also) deeply missed by her best friend, Bev Avery of Northbrook, IL and special friends The Lydon’s of Glenview, IL. Shirley was and is cherished “Mom” to Chris (Frank) Van Fleet of Chicago, IL and “Great-grandma” to Jasmine Hernandez of Portland, OR.

Shirley looked forward to reuniting in Heaven with her beloved mother, Rena Mae Cook of Evanston, IL; and grandma, Ora Lee Hardison of Dunmor, Ky; as well as all the old friends she grew up with and stayed close to for over 70 years.

A private (family) celebration of Shirley’s life will be held.

Memorials may be given in her name for the Wisconsin Humane Society-Door County Campus (920-746-1111).

“Our family would like to extend a special thanks to the staffs at the Door County ARDC, Door County Medical Center, and Unity Hospice for taking such good care of her.”

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay are assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Shirley may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.