Christi Nowak

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Christi Lee (Rose) Nowak, 69, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. She fought a hard battle following multiple strokes that took place in March of 2023 and most recently in February of 2025. Christi is survived by her husband and soulmate, Gary Nowak of Edwardsville, Illinois.

Christi was born July 18, 1956, in Alton, Illinois to Eva Jean (Hickerson) and Charles Henry Rose Jr., both deceased. She was the fifth of ten children – Cecilia ‘Suzi’ Blackman (deceased; Kenny); Charlene Stauder; Charley ‘Brad’ Rose, Clifford Rose (Roberta); Clair Rose, Craig Rose (Cindy); Caryl Sellars; Cindy Sparks (Rusty); and Carla Rose (deceased).

Christi graduated in 1974 from East Alton-Wood River High School, after which she began a long career as a sought-after care giver for the babies of friends and family. She was truly in her element with little people to watch after and teach. Christi and Gary met in 1982 and were married in 1994. Soon after, they settled in their home on Dunlap Lake in Edwardsville. Gary’s daughters, Erica Proctor (Adam) and Jessica Roentz, shared lots of celebrations and family time on that lake with beloved granddaughters, Ella and Josie Proctor.

Christi was a wife, a sister, a bonus mom, an aunt, a grandmother, a great aunt and so much more to so many. In addition to her daughters and granddaughters, Christi enjoyed doting on her 20 nieces and nephews, 32 great nieces and nephews and 2 great-great nephews, along with all the other countless children she watched for friends…and she always had room for more!

Christi worked alongside Gary at their business, Nowak News Agency, for many years delivering newspapers each day to hundreds of homes in the Edwardsville and Metro East area. Christi, being a social butterfly, began working in assisted living and care facilities, following her retirement. Her most recent work was at Stillwater Assisted Living in Edwardsville, where her nametag read “Most Important One.” Following her recent strokes, and requiring additional care, Christi became a resident at Stillwater where she was lovingly cared for by the staff and residents whom she had come to know and love.

Christi was very small in stature, but the impact of her passing will be huge on all those who knew and loved her. Her heart was on display every day, always ready to offer a kind word, or care for those in need.

A visitation celebrating the life of Christi will be held Friday, February 6, 2026, from 10am-12pm with services to follow at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River, Illinois. A private burial will be immediately following at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto, Illinois.

Memorials may be made to Glen-Ed Pantry or to Refuge (also known as Safe Surroundings & Refuge).