Peggy was born on Sept. 9, 1953, and entered into Heaven August 30, 2024. She was preceded in death by her dear husband Larry Novak; her father, Charles Ira; and sister-in-law Jennifer Ira.

Peggy is survived by her mother, Dolores Ira, Spillville; siblings, Rona Ira-Messmore, Hudson, Nancy (Steve) McGrew, Van Horne, Cindy Ira-Smith (Galen Smith), Worthington, Minnesota, Jeff Ira, New Hampton, Teresa (Jeff) Kennon, Lime Springs, and Terry (Amy) Ira, Iowa City; sons, Nicholas (Ashley) Chardoulias, Hudson, Andrew (Whitney) Chardoulias, Cedar Falls, Novak; children: Mindy O’Melia, Bettendorf, Nichole (Juan) Moreno, Moline, Illinois, Carrie Smith, Rock Island, Illinois, Brad (Jennifer) Novak, Wheaton, Illinois; 19 grandchildren, two great granddaughters; many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and her beautiful Yorkie Terrier, Georgia Mae.

Peggy attended St Wenceslaus Catholic School through 8th Grade and graduated from South Winneshiek High School in Calmar. She attended the University of Northern Iowa earning a Bachelor of Art Degree in Art Education. She taught art at Ft Dodge, Tri-Center-Neola, WACO, East Central Schools, and completed her teaching profession at Waterloo Schools in Family & Consumer Sciences at Central Middle School.

Peggy married Mark Chardoulias in 1976 and had 2 sons, Nicholas and Andrew. The couple later divorced. In September of 2000, Peggy reconnected with childhood friend Larry Novak, who became the love of her life, and they were married in May of 2001.

Peggy was a professional artist, designing a rare & unique type of art using fabric, dye, and wax, known as Batik. She learned this medium as an undergraduate at UNI, from Professor Gau. Over the years, Peggy perfected her art and attended many shows in the state. Due to the influence of her favorite artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, flowers became the subject of her artwork. Today, her batiks adorn many homes across the country.

To help fill her time in retirement, Peggy began doing alterations for a local bridal shop. As word spread, she was soon doing prom dresses and anything else people needed altered.

Peggy enjoyed extensive travel over the years, visiting Italy in 2016, Israel in 2017, where she was baptized in the Jordon River, a New Zealand and Australia cruise with cousins in 2018, Bahamas & Universal Studios in 2019, and Mexico with a special friend, Danni, in 2021. Peggy first visited Hawaii with Larry on their 10th Anniversary in 2011, and then again with Rona, upon their retirement in 2015. She and Cousin Kathy took a cross-country trip from Iowa to Maine and parts of Canada in 2017 and visited Alaska in 2023. In the last 5 years, she enjoyed camping with her family. They visited the Ozarks, Warm Springs Ranch, Missouri, and Elephant Rock SP, Apostle Islands in Wisconsin, Glacier NP, Badlands NP, Custer SP, Teddy Roosevelt NP, Red Lodge, MT, Bear Tooth Highway, Big Horn Mountains, Sedona, Arizona, Grand Canyon, Santa Fe, New Mesico, and Los Angeles area. Last September she spent 2 glorious weeks with Rona and Tess in Utah hiking in 5 National Parks and 8 State Parks. In addition, Peg spent many great nights and weekends with her family, camping, hiking, and kayaking at beautiful campgrounds in Iowa.

Peggy was an active member of Orchard Hill Church in Cedar Falls. Her passion for helping people and bringing joy to their lives led her to volunteer at LOVE Inc. for the past 11 years.

Even with her busy life, Peggy’s greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandkids, attending many of their ball games and other life activities over the years. Some of their favorite activities included baking, arts and crafts such as diamond art, rock painting, as well as overnight adventures individually with each grandchild. Her greatest blessings called her MOM & GRANDMA! One thing is certain Peggy will be greatly missed by all.

The visitation will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Hagarty Waychoff Grarup Funeral Service on Ridgeway Avenue. The funeral will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at Orchard Hill Church in Cedar Falls. A prayer service will follow at 3:00 p.m., at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville with a visitation from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the church. Peggy will be buried in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church Cemetery following the prayer service. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to LOVE Inc. in Cedar Falls.