Nancy A. Riese

Nancy A. Riese, age 76, of Griffith, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, after a four-and-a-half-year courageous battle with cancer.

Nancy married her love Robert Riese at St. Mary Catholic Church in Griffith on April 29, 1972. Nancy enjoyed being creative. In her early years, she loved to draw and write poems. In the years to come, she enjoyed projects that involved sewing, cross-stitch, and needlepoint. She also loved to be challenged with games, riddles, and trivia questions.

Nancy was a homemaker and delighted in spoiling her children and grandchildren with birthday gifts and overfilled Christmas stockings. In addition, she and Robert would excitedly call them on the phone, both singing happy birthday or happy anniversary.  Nancy enjoyed preparing her favorite holiday side dishes, including her famous coleslaw and her New Year’s Day mushroom soup.

She was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan and even named two of her furry companions Cubby and Rizzo. Nancy was also an avid reader – she enjoyed mysteries, thrillers, and fictional stories about animals.

Although she spent a lot of time in doctors’ offices, hospitals, and treatment centers in her final years, Nancy maintained a good sense of humor, often cracking jokes and being witty with the medical staff.

Nancy is survived by her children Jennifer (Larry) Atkins and Daniel Riese; grandchildren Austin (Emily) Riese, Noah Winn, Faith Lingenfelter (Michael), and Sam Riese; her daughter-in-law Kris Riese; her sister Barbara (Ron) Kisfalusi, brother Leonard (Penny) Napiwocki, and many brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Nancy is preceded in death by her husband Robert, son Kevin Riese, and granddaughter Francheska Riese, her siblings Ray Napiwocki, Adeline Marlow, and Richard “Ricky” Napiwocki, and her parents Walter and Clara Napiwocki.

A private Memorial Service will be held at Ridgelawn Cemetery, located at 4401 W. Ridge Road, Gary, IN. The family will be contacted with details.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Hospice Give | VNA Hospice NWI

For more information, please contact White Funeral Home at (219) 924-4100.

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