Obituary of Helga N. Rietz

The beautiful, kind, and loving spirit of Helga Nickel Rietz, born on May 21, 1941, in Cologne, Germany to Paul and Josefine Nickel, was welcomed into God’s Kingdom on Monday, November 13, 2023, in Houston, Texas.

Helga was preceded in death by her mother, Josefine Nickel, her father Paul Nickel, and her sister Josefine Alexopolis.  She is survived by her husband Richard "Dick" Charles Rietz; her children: daughter, Wendy Nifong and her husband, Craig, son, Thomas Rietz and son, Richard "Rick" Paul Rietz; her siblings: brother, Goetz Nickel and his wife, Luisa, brother, Helmut Nickel and his wife, Anita, and sister. Erica Mercadante and her husband, Fabrizio; her grandchildren: Elizabeth Bowling and her husband, Jay, Jessica Nifong, Natalie Rietz, Katherine Nifong and Rachel Rietz; and her great-grandchild: Jack Bowling.

Helga immigrated with her family to Chicago, Illinois from Cologne, Germany when she was 15. While living in Chicago, she met her husband of 60 years.  Helga and Dick were married in 1963.  She was a great lover of sports, particularly golf, bowling, soccer, and football.  She was an avid and accomplished golfer and spent many hours on the Village Links golf course while living in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  In 1992, Helga was the Female Low Gross Champion in the Glen Ellyn Golf Open with a score of 81.  She also was a winning league bowler, having accumulated dozens of trophies.

Helga embraced life through cooking, antiques, home decorating, and most of all her five granddaughters.  Helga enjoyed her 45 years of life in Illinois where she was a huge Cubs and Bears fan.  After moving to Texas, Helga enjoyed her last 20 years in Houston, loving all things Texas, including the Astros.  Helga’s neighbors remember her as an elegant and gentle neighbor. 

Helga had a soft side for military families and would frequently buy military families a meal when she encountered them in a restaurant. 

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, November 27, 2023, at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, 26777 Glen Loch Drive in The Woodlands, Texas.  The Mass will be preceded by a Rosary at 9:30 in the adjoining chapel.  Mass will be followed by a reception at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church before departing for the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive in Houston, Texas. 

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Thomas Rietz, Rick Rietz, Craig Nifong and Jay Bowling.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Memory of Helga Rietz to the Wounded Warrior Project, and please feel free to leave a condolence message for the family on the Tribute Wall of Helga's obituary.

The Mass will be livestreamed and remain for later viewing on Facebook and YouTube.