Constance “Connie” J. Nowka

Constance “Connie”  J. Nowka, 95, died Thursday, November 13, 2025, at her home in East Jordan. 

  She was born on October 31, 1930, in Central Falls, Rhode Island.  She was raised by the nuns at Mount St. Francis. Connie says of those ten years at Mount St. Francis, “God was absolutely with me”.

  Connie graduated from Mount St. Francis High School in 1948 and enlisted in the United States Army. She graduated from the Finance School of the U.S. Army in 1957.  Connie continued her education and received her associate's degree in nursing from Henry Ford Community College and Bachelor of Science in gerontology from Madonna College.

  She married Bruno Wolons in 1958.  He preceded her in death in 1968. 

  She met Donald J. Nowka and married him on April 2, 1971, in Garden City, Michigan.

  In the following years, Connie had been the co-owner and administrator for the Wishing Well Manor Nursing Home in Northville and Whispering Willow Nursing Home in Canton.

  They moved to East Jordan in April of 1988.  

  Connie continued working up North.  She had been the Director of Nursing at Bortz Medical Care Facility in Petoskey and Boulder Park Terrace in Charlevoix.  Later, she was the Administrator for Tendercare in Gaylord, as well as several other nursing home facilities.

  After retirement from nursing, Connie continued serve as legal guardian through local probate courts, transporting kids in need to go to special schools and working for her daughter, Michelle, for “At Your Service Plus”, a portable sanitation service in East Jordan.

  Connie was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Jordan.  She also had been a member of the East Jordan Rotary Club, taking part in the Rotary Variety Show for several years.

  When she was younger, she enjoyed roller skating and had thoughts of joining the roller derby.  Connie was a very good shot and liked hunting.  She enjoyed watching westerns on television from the 1950s & 1960s. She also enjoyed acting and going to the theater. Most of all, Connie loved visiting with friends and family.

   She is survived by one son, James (Cathy) Nowka; five grandchildren, James (Ashley) Nowka, Renée (Ben) Wiklanski, Stephen (Kristi) Nowka, Michayla Nowka and Grant Nowka; seven great grandchildren, Hannah, Wyatt, Emma, Abby, Kate, Macy and Lilly; and three step-sons, Donald Nowka, Brian Nowka and Scott Nowka.

  Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Donald J Nowka on November 18, 2011 and her daughter, Michelle R. Nowka on October 24, 2022.

  Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, East Jordan.  Interment will follow at St. Joseph Calvary Cemetery.

  The family will receive friends on Monday from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc. in East Jordan, with a rosary service at 7:30 P.M.

  Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church.

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