June 23, 1939 ~ July 23, 2024
Sutton resident Elizabeth Griess, 85, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Legacy Square in Henderson.
Memorial services were at 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 26, 2024, at Hope Reformed Church in Sutton, with Rev. Scott Henry officiating. Private family interment took place at the Sutton Cemetery in Sutton. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated later. Condolences may be left at www. suttonmemorial.com. Liz was born June 23, 1939, at home on the family farm to Hilmar and Hilda (Griess) Nuss. She was the ninth child of 11. She traveled to a country school by horse and buggy until the 10th grade and then later helped on the family farm. As a young child, she enjoyed roller skating, going to the movies on the weekends, and had a love for Elvis. She remembered seeing Elvis for the first time on TV, only waist down, and it made her cry tears of joy. She even saw many impersonators later in life. She was a member of the Free German Reformed Salem Church and German was her first language. Many Sundays after church, her family ate bread with butter and watermelon.
She married Melvin A. Griess and together they had four children. They lived on a farm for many years and milked dairy cows. Later in life, Liz worked at the Sutton Community Home for 26 years; she was a cook for eight years and then the Food Service Supervisor for 17 years.
Liz was quick to tell you her favorite stories of her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. One of her favorites was how Randy was the good one, Rhonda kept her on her toes, and Ranae was the sweetheart, but constantly bragged about her grandkids and their achievements.
Liz enjoyed cooking traditional German Russian food like cheese buttons, knep, hot German potato salad, kuchen, and runzas. She also made a mean kvass, which she shared with many daring souls in the dead of summer. She loved watching her soap operas, The Voice, and American Idol, amongst other challenge and game shows. She also collected stamps and made an “award-winning” stamp ball, which weighs over 50 pounds. She was an avid gardener and was very particular about the care of her crops. She canned many of the vegetables she grew and had a room full of mason jars in her basement. Liz was able to travel to many places far and near and was always up for a good adventure.
If anyone knew Liz, they knew that she collected refrigerator magnets. Many friends and family would bring back a magnet from their vacation and Liz adorned it on her fridge for all to see. Her grandkids especially loved the jukebox magnet that played obnoxious music.
Liz also loved a sweet treat and would often say, “a person should eat dessert first.” She grew up in a time before electronics but later got an iPhone and iPad which she admitted she never knew how to use.
She spent many hours attending her grandchildren’s activities, such as band concerts, baseball games, soccer games, dance recitals, dive meets, and gymnastic meets.
Liz is survived by her children; son, Randy (Lisa) Griess of Sutton; daughters, Rhonda (Cris) Sahner of Omaha and Ranae (Ric) Stoakes of Lincoln; grandchildren, Ansley (Andrew) Lovgren of St Paul, MN, Chelsee (Shay) Sahner of Omaha, Cole Sahner of Omaha, Ashton (Colton) Marshall of Chapman, Aleni Stoakes of St Paul, MN, Adisen Stoakes of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Zoey, Carter, Sawyer, and Keeva. She is also survived by her siblings, Naomi Griess, Silas Nuss, Armin Nuss, Marie Hembree, Miriam Sinnen, and Donna Mae Nuss; and one of her closest friends, Karen Ackerman.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hilmar and Hilda Nuss; daughter, Rolene; brothers, Gideon Nuss, Don Nuss, and Tom Nuss; sister, Ruth Griess; and great-grandson, Evander Marshall.
Liz will especially be elated to be reunited with her daughter, Rolene, again.
