Obituary of Nancy Ann Reese
Nancy Ann (Bicknase) Reese, known as “Grandma George,” age 75, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, December 14, 2019.
Nancy was born May 7, 1944 in Arlington Heights, IL to Walter and Sadie (Theiman) Bicknase. When she was 2 years old, her family moved to Amherst, WI where she lived until she married David Abrahamson on January 17, 1961. They moved to Wisconsin Rapids, where they raised their seven children. The marriage ended in divorce. On August 4, 1979, Nancy married the love of her life, Ernest Reese, in Wisconsin Rapids. They enjoyed many happy years together, until his death on January 10, 2003.
Nancy and Ernie loved to travel. They took trips to Hawaii, with some of her siblings; trips to New York to visit her daughter, Kathie, and her family; trips around the United States to visit her siblings; travelling to NASCAR races with Staci; and visiting Niagara Falls, which was on her “bucket list.”
Nancy was a woman of faith and loved volunteering at church. She was a member of the Prayer Chain, helped with funeral luncheons, and loved teaching Vacation Bible School. Along with volunteering at church, Nancy was a member of the Wisconsin Rapids Lioness Club, a Den Mother for her son, Scott’s, Cub Scout troop, and helped with her daughters’ Brownie and Girl Scout troops.
Nancy loved to play games with her children and grandchildren. She fell in love with the game of Shuffleboard, while on her trip to Hawaii. So much so, that she had a shuffleboard poured at her home for family and friends to enjoy at gatherings. She enjoyed a good polka. Nancy was a fan of the Green Bay Packers. She could be often found arguing about politics. She told her family that she would be a “poll watcher” in Heaven so that there wouldn’t be any “shenanigans.” Nancy enjoyed watching Hallmark Christmas movies! She called everyone George, because “there were just too many names to remember.” Nancy is loved and will be deeply missed.
So here it goes:
Nancy is survived by her children: Kathie Oberbeck, Scott (Gail) Abrahamson, Tina (Steve) Suzda, and Steven (Robyn) Abrahamson; her son-in-law, Bill Schultz; her grandchildren: Staci (Evan) Chapin, Brian Rodriguez, Jeff Abrahamson, Joe Czappa, Nicholas (Rebecca) Suzda, Jason Schultz, Nathan Abrahamson, Luke (Mariah) Suzda, Nichole Abrahamson, Jesse Abrahamson, Alex (Daniel) Pasavento, Jeremy Abrahamson, Kinda Oberbeck, Brittany Karis, Jaimee Arnold, Courtney Abrahamson, and Genesis Abrahamson; her great-grandchildren: Lillian Suzda, Kinsley Suzda, Roxas Abrahamson, Benjamin Rodriguez, Hunter Suzda, Easton Suzda, and Chase Chapin; her siblings: Donna Feitsma, Richard (Karen) Bicknase, Linda (David) Dombrowski, Karen Dombrowski, Sandy Groshek, and Wayne (Maureen) Bicknase; her sister-in-law, Harleen Bicknase; and her brother-in-law, Steve Krstich. In addition to her parents and husband, Nancy is preceded in death by her twin sons, Paul and Phillip Abrahamson; her daughter, Dona-dee Schultz; her granddaughter, Nichole Rodriguez; her step-mother, Esther Bicknase; her siblings: Elsie Bicknase, Mark Bicknase, Michael Bicknase, Earl Bicknase, Dorothy Elvey, Grace Krstich, Ruth Hoover, Walter Bicknase, Mabel Dorband, and Robert Dorband; she is further preceded in death by several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
As per her wishes, there will be no public visitation or service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials made be forwarded in Nancy’s name to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 (www.tunnel2towers.org).
