Nancy Jean Rieck

Nancy Jean (Kazmierski) Rieck, a lifetime Toledo resident, joined her dearest husband, Robert, in heaven on August 21st, 2023. She had celebrated her 83rd birthday a few weeks prior, surrounded by family and both of her beloved sons.

Nancy was born July 28, 1940 to Stephen and Sabina Kazmierski. The family lived on LaGrange Street for many years and look back fondly on their time in the Polish neighborhood. As a first generation Polish American, Nancy was proud of her heritage and shared her mother's chrusciki recipe with all who enjoyed the dessert. She graduated from Woodward High School in 1958 and stayed in touch with her old classmates through monthly luncheons.
Nancy met the love of her life, Bob, at a Tiedtke's party in the basement of a local bowling alley. Nancy declared it was love at first sight, and they spent the whole night dancing. They were married on October 2, 1965 and began their life together, raising their two sons – Brian and Kevin – in their home on North Haven in West Toledo.

Nancy and Bob were unwaveringly dedicated to their faith. They were longtime members of Christ Lutheran Church, where Nancy also served as church secretary for many years. Bob and Nancy rejoiced in their faith through the church choir and created many lifelong friendships through Christ Lutheran. Nancy and Bob were most recently members of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Sylvania, where they loved volunteering and playing an active role in the community.
Nancy and Bob were frequently at Oak Shade Grove in Oregon, OH, where Nancy was a member of the Tuetonia Chor of Toledo. Both Bob and Nancy loved to sing, which led to numerous trips with the choir touring and singing around Germany. Each August, Nancy could be found working in the potato pancake house at the German American Festival, sweating and smiling alongside her sister and friends.
Nancy loved giraffes, for she found them to be peaceful and gracious animals. They could be spotted throughout her home and wardrobe. She was holding her favorite stuffed giraffe when she passed.

Nancy was an avid baseball fan. She loved her Toledo Mud Hens and Detroit Tigers. She and Bob attended and volunteered at many Mud Hens games over the years. In the last couple of years when she lived with her sister, Rose Marie, you could often hear the two of them yelling at the television cheering on the Tigers and their favorite player, Miguel Cabrera.
The heart of Nancy's life was always her family. She hosted the family Thanksgiving gathering for decades and took turns with her siblings hosting the family Christmas Eve celebration. The lights of her life were her granddaughters, Danielle and Madison. She loved spending time with them and was so proud of the remarkable young women they had become.

Surviving Nancy are her sons, Brian (Kristina) and Kevin (Christine); granddaughters, Danielle (Kyle) and Madison (Alberto); and sisters, JoAnn (Ron) and Rose Marie. She was preceded in death by her younger brother, John and by her soulmate and husband, Robert. Nancy and Bob are now reunited and taking another spin around the dance floor that Nancy had long been awaiting.

The family will receive guests on Sunday, August 27. 2023 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home - Northwest Chapel, 4150 W. Laskey Rd., Toledo (419-473-0300) with Funeral Services beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will take place Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park, meeting at the gates between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

To watch Nancy's service via LiveStream, please click here.


In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Cherry Street Mission in Toledo, OH or St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Sylvania, OH.

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