Nellie M. Ristau

Nellie M. Ristau, 95, of East Moline, formerly of Geneseo, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2019, at UnityPoint Health – Trinity, Rock Island.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2019, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel.  Her niece and nephew, Reverend Reneé Holm and Dr. Jay Nelson, will officiate.  Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2019, at the funeral home.  Memorials may be directed to the Nellie Ristau Memorial Fund.

Nellie was born August 19, 1923, the daughter of Elmer and Agnes (Francis) Horn in Geneseo, IL.  She graduated from Geneseo High School in 1941.  Nellie married Raymond R. Ristau on July 19, 1943, in Missouri.  He preceded her in death on December 3, 2006.  She worked at the bookstore in Geneseo for 39 years.  She was a member of Living Hope Church, Davenport, IA.  Nellie enjoyed traveling and loved being with her family for all their events.  Nellie never met a stranger.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Louise & Duane Kruse, Loveland, CO, and Janice & Arlon Gradert, Geneseo; grandchildren, Mike Walker, Stratford, IA, Tim & Angie Gradert, Port Byron, IL, and Rick & Shari Gradert, Geneseo; great-grandchildren, Jessica & Adam Gordon, Ashley & Josh Palumbo, Paige & Jimmy Krizan, Tyler Gradert (Haley Stark), Adam Gradert, Connor Luxmore, Tanner Vantwerp, and Mason Webster; great-great-grandchildren, Stephany & Dominick Krizan, Alex, Aiden, & Archer Palumbo; and sister, Glenda Nelson, East Moline.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Raymond, brothers, Preston and Charles, sister, Lucille,  granddaughter, Chaunda Gradert, and great-great-granddaughter, Abbigail Krizan.