Shirley Mae Kamakian

With her loving family by her side, Shirley Kamakian passed away peacefully on January 5th, 2026.

Shirley was born on September 4, 1931, in Racine, Wisconsin, the daughter of Iva V. Stephan and John Hayek. She graduated from Horlick High School, Class of 1950, and went on to pursue her nursing degree at St. Luke’s Hospital in Racine, graduating in 1953. Deeply proud of her profession, Shirley later became a spokesperson for the nursing program, giving talks at local Racine high schools to encourage young women to enter the field.

Shirley dedicated 35 years of service as a registered nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital. She found great fulfillment in caring for patients as whole people—body and spirit—and nursing was truly her passion. She concluded her nursing career at West Wind of All Saints Healthcare, where she focused on treatment and prevention of alcohol and drug addiction. In retirement, Shirley continued her lifelong service to others by volunteering at the St. Luke’s Hospital Gift Shop and assisting at the Living Faith Lutheran Food Pantry. She was a devoted, lifelong member of Living Faith Lutheran Church.

On May 22, 1954, Shirley married Duane Kramer, and together they raised three children: Mark, Terrie, and Kingston. On May 31, 1986, Shirley married the love of her life, George Kamakian, and they shared 14 wonderful years together. Their time was filled with travel and adventure, including trips to California, Florida, the North Woods, and the East Coast. Shirley and George also traveled with dear friends Chuck and Carol Kamakian to the Caribbean and Mexico, enjoyed cruises with the Rosenbergs, and took memorable trips with Donna Radewan to San Francisco—where Shirley especially delighted in Irish Coffees at the Buena Vista.

Shirley will be fondly remembered for hosting countless family picnics and dinner parties. She had a gift for bringing people together to laugh, love, and celebrate life.

An avid bowler, Shirley also enjoyed playing tennis, cross-country skiing, and gardening. She shared a special bond with her mother, Iva, through pickling and baking festively decorated Christmas cookies. Shirley was a devoted Green Bay Packers fan and a loving companion to her boxer dogs, Major, Sasha, and Lexie. She cherished Sunday afternoons playing Mexican Train with her daughter Terrie and son-in-law Rick.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, George Kamakian.

She is survived by her brother Roger Hayek and sister-in-law Jana Clausen Hayek of Racine; her children Mark (Christine) Kramer of San Ramon, CA, Terrie (Rick) Lewandowski of Racine, and Kingston (Lita) Kramer of San Diego, CA; and her stepsons Kent Kamakian of Racine and Kevin (Erika) Kamakian of Crawfordsville, IN. She is also survived by her grandchildren Kinsey and Kiana Kramer, Isaiah Kramer, and Sergio deBarros; step-grandchildren Christopher Kamakian and Nathan Kamakian; sister-in-law Shirley Kramer; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, 11 am at Living Faith Lutheran Church, 2915 Wright Ave., Racine, with Pastor Kathy Brown presiding. Relatives and friends may meet with the family prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m., with the service at 11:00 a.m. Private interment will take place at 1:30 p.m. at West Lawn Memorial Park.

The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/LivingFaithRacine

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University of Wisconsin–Madison Health Foundation, Carbone Cancer Center.