Carlene Lorraine Nowak , age 92, of Manistee died Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Nancy's House, Miller Road AFC.                                   .

Carlene (Marzinski) Nowak was born April 29, 1926 in Manistee, to the late John & Josephine (Steinberg) Marzinski. After high school, Carlene held various jobs. Carlene married Erwin Nowak on October 27, 1956 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

In her youth, Carlene was an accomplished pitcher for the A&P softball team. She also enjoyed fishing and bowling. She was employed by Hardy Salt Company and later American Boxboard Company (Packaging Corporation of America) for many years.

She enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers on TV and also spent many winters with her husband and sisters in Lakeland, Florida watching them in person. Carlene enjoyed spending time at the casino. She was known for her sharp wit and one liners.

Although Carlene was not blessed with children of her own, she was a second mother to her many nieces and nephews. She was a caregiver to her family members as well. She had a very generous heart. Carlene was a member of Divine Mercy Parish (St. Joseph Catholic Church) in Manistee.

Carlene is survived by her sister, Marilyn Kaminski of Manistee and sister-in-law, Mary Marzinski, and brother-in-law Clarence Nowak, also of Manistee. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her parents, Carlene is preceded in death by her husband, Erwin, in 2000 and by sisters and brothers-in-law, Evelyn & Emery Oleniczak, Alice & Jack McCarthy, Vina Jankowski, Dorothy & Clem Stefanick, and brothers and sister-in law, Carl & Leona Marzinski, and Daniel Marzinski.

Carlene was independent in her own home until her 90 ^th year. When the time came that she could no longer be alone, her long time neighbor, Nancy Adamski, welcomed her into her home on Miller Road which had become an AFC home. Carlene's family wishes to thank Nancy and her family for this kindness. The family would also like to thank Carlene's caregivers at Nancy's House Miller Road AFC for their compassionate care in her final years.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a tear.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 25, 2019 at 11:30 AM at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Reverend Pablo Martinez celebrant. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Manistee.

The family will receive friends at the church on Friday morning, one hour prior to the funeral mass. Memorials will be established in Carlene's name for Manistee Catholic Central Schools and for the Divine Mercy Parish. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and will be available at the church on Friday morning.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.