Obituary of Nancy J. Fries

Nancy J. Fries of rural Solon died Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

A time for family and friends to gather celebrating Nancy’s life will be held from 4:30pm to 7pm Monday, October 7, 2024, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in her memory to the MENSA scholarship fund. 

Nancy J. Fries was born February 17, 1951, in Jacksonville, Florida, the daughter of Arnold and Anna Mae (Hemmer) Fries.  Following graduation from Waukon High School she enrolled at the University of Iowa where she received her bachelor’s degree. Later she enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa and earned her Master’s in elementary education.  For years Nancy enjoyed teaching in the Iowa City Community School Districts at the Weber and Horace Mann Elementary Schools.  She was passionate about young people as a teacher, enjoyed reading, supporting MENSA, cooking and most of all, her granddaughter!

Her family includes her daughter and her wife, Storm and Sarah Portugue; granddaughter, River; siblings, Peg Abshrie (Rick), Jeanne Burg (Paul), Jim Fries, Dave Fries (Roxanne), Mike Fries, and Larry Fries.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sisters-in-law, and former husband, John Herdrich.