Nellie Mae Reist

Nellie Mae Reist 91 of Portage passed away Tuesday May 4, 2021 at Brookdale of Portage. Nellie was born December 9, 1929 in Kalamazoo the daughter of Percy and Ida Mae (Jewell) Willis. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, flower gardening, feeding the wild birds and she was an avid reader and great cook. On August 4, 1946 in Kalamazoo Nellie was united in marriage to Robert J. Reist, Sr. who preceded her in death on February 23, 2015. Also preceding her in death were two brothers, Sam and Howard Willis; sister, Frances Tice; and a grandson, Ryan Reist. Surviving are six children, Robert Reist, Jr of Omaha, NE, Ronald (Lois) Reist of Lawton, Dennis (Mary Anne) Reist of Kalamazoo, Craig (Dottie Rabideau) Reist of Indiana, Kevin (Katherine) Reist of Comstock, Karen (Mark) Blaesser of Kalamazoo; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces & nephews. Friends will be received 6-8 pm Thursday May 6, 2021 at Parchment Redmond Funeral Home where services will be held 2 pm Friday. Interment will be 11 am Monday at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southwest Michigan or Susan G. Komen Foundation. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net The funeral home has arranged for you to gift fully prepared meals to the family to assist them during this difficult time. Click here to gift meals