Shirley Ann (Riniker) Noel, 86, of Dubuque passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at Stonehill Care Center.  Visitation will be Friday, January 12 from 9:45 to 10:45 am at Holy Spirit Parish-Holy Trinity Church followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Shirley was born February 12, 1937, in Balltown, Iowa, daughter of Ambrose and Leona (Jaeger) Riniker.

On September 14, 1957, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, William L. “Bill” Noel at St. Francis Church, Balltown.  Together they had four children and were married for 53 years before he was called to his heavenly home on July 2, 2011.

Shirley took great pride in her ability to keep a clean and tidy home. She had a great interest in history, enjoyed feeding the birds and especially delighted seeing the cardinals that frequented her feeders. She loved winter and awaited the first snowfall every year. She could not have scripted a better day to earn her wings that during the beautiful snowfall on Tuesday.

Shirley worked at Neisners Dime Store, the Dubuque Packing Co., Janlin Plastics, and at the Hartig Drug Store on Central for 25 years before retiring in 2002.

Shirley was a member of Holy Spirit Parish (Holy Trinity Church) for over 60 years. She was a member of the Rosary Society, volunteered as needed, and was a member of the church choir. She was also a volunteer at Sunnycrest Manor for Catholic services for many years.

She is survived by two children, Cindy (Mike) Mills of Mooresville, NC and Rick (Lisa) Noel of Nantucket, MA; Grandchildren, Jason (Jess) Noel of Baraboo, WI, Jacob Mills of Mooresville, NC, Claire Noel of New York, Lily Noel of New York and Eva Noel of Durham, NC.

She is also survived by a sister, Diann (Junior) Ott of Peosta, IA and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Cathy Ann Noel; a son, Randy Noel; and two siblings, Lavern Riniker and Verna Mae (Nicholas) Brimeyer.

Memorials may be made in Shirley’s honor to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

The family would like to thank Dr. Christopher Stille and his staff at Medical Associates Clinic for their compassion and care of mom during her illness, the intensive care team at MercyOne for their knowledge, skill and exceptional care, Stonehill community for providing loving care to mom during her short stay and Hospice of Dubuque for guiding them through a very difficult time.

A very special and heartfelt thank you to Diane and Pat Kunnert, Karol and Dave Hubanks.  Words are not enough to show our gratitude towards you for all the help, companionship and comfort you provided mom when we could not be there.  You made her feel loved and cared for and we are eternally grateful.