Wilma Riess
Florissant, MO. | Save
Wilma Riess (nee, Hauger) a registered nurse and long-time resident of Florissant, Missouri, died February 25, 2020, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis at the age of 85.
Born in 1934 in Pearl, Illinois--Wilma graduated from Missouri Baptist Hospital’s School of Nursing in 1955. During her nursing career, Wilma worked at Missouri Baptist Hospital, McCabe-Powers Body Company and Moog Automotive.
Wilma loved gardening and playing golf. She cared for plants at home and at her church—the seeds and plants were transplanted from her childhood home to neighbors’ gardens, her church grounds, and beyond. She hit a hole-in-one with a pitching wedge on the 90-yard No. 14 hole at The Ridge in Waterloo, Illinois.
Her greatest impact throughout her life was helping those around her. She was a compassionate caretaker. This was true during her career as a Registered Nurse, but equally evident at church, in her neighborhood, and throughout the community. She was there early and often to help her best friends and strangers alike. It’s been said, "it takes a very strong, intelligent, determined and compassionate person to take on the ills of the world with passion and purpose". Wilma was drawn to people because of a desire to care, to serve and to help.
Like the dormant flowers of winter, Wilma had the perfect vision to see the beauty that was to be revealed with the right amount of care, encouragement, and God’s will in the coming season. Of course, this is true for her with both nature and people.
She is survived by her son, Gregg Riess, and his wife, Staci; daughter-in-law Anne Riess; brother Larry Hauger and his wife, Michele; grandchildren Justin, Ashlee (Alex) Lubeck, Sarah, Joshua, and Parker. Wilma was predeceased by sister Anne (Hauger) Heffington; sister Velma Hauger; her son Mike Riess, her partner of many years Bill Johnson; her mother and father Maleta (Lane) & Victor Bopp.
Wilma’s life and impact will be celebrated on Saturday, February 29 at Florissant Valley Christian Church. Visitation will be held starting at 9 am with a memorial service at 11 am. Lunch and ice cream will be served in the fellowship hall immediately following. A private burial will take place that afternoon at Green Pond Cemetery in Pearl, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, gifts to a Memorial Fund may be made to Florissant Valley Christian Church, 1325 US-67, Florissant, MO 63031.
Arrangements are being handled by the Gress Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home.
Gress, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home
