Obituary of Nancy Jo Riley

Nancy Jo Riley, 77, of Clarinda, Iowa passed away peacefully on October 18, 2024, at her residence after battling cancer for over 20 years. Born at Christ’s Hospital, Topeka, Kansas on May 7, 1947, to Armond Vigneron and Jane Vigneron. Nancy moved from Kansas to Clarinda Iowa in March of 1967 with her best friend Janet Orr for a new adventure, and it was the beginning of the story of Nancy and Louis, who later that year married on June 30, 1967. Nancy and Louis were blessed with two children, Brian in (1972) and Stacey in (1978) who completed her wonderful family and provided profound joy by being a mother. She lived many years on the farm in Gus, IA and then later moving to Shambaugh, IA this time brought great joy as she loved the land and the animals it brought with it. Nancy cherished many animals, but dogs and cats always were a huge part of her life even when moving to Clarinda her animals brought her so much love. Louis Riley was her caregiver for the last 21 years during her battle, their faith carried them through many trials and tribulations.

Nancy’s life can be encapsulated by five words: Family, Friends, Flowers, Faith, and Fun. In her 77 years here with us, she experienced an abundance of each. Nancy’s friendship and faith encompassed all aspects of life, and each was special to her. From phone call chats to family outings, adult beverages, she loved any adventures near and far, to helping in times of sadness and difficulty, Nancy was up for it all… She was a friend who would drive to help anyone with anything appointments, help take grandkids places wherever they may need to go, give out her favorite book to strangers or people she knew battling cancer, and loved a good shopping trip for no reason other than she had a coupon she couldn’t pass up. Nancy knew that friendships and family, like gardens, take work to maintain, and she was willing to put in the effort, which was fitting because she loved her garden of flowers.

Nancy is survived by loving husband Louis Riley of Clarinda, IA of 57 years, son: Brian Riley (Christy) of New Market, IA; daughter: Stacey Jackson (Matt) of Bennington, NE; grandkids: Cheyenne Riley of Lawrence, KS; Reese Jackson of Wayne, NE; Heath Jackson of Red Oak, IA; Gianna Rock of New Market, IA; Chase Riley of Olathe, KS; Sylas Riley of New Market IA; brothers: Stephen Vigneron of Tacoma, WA: Russ Vigneron of Des Moines, IA, and sister; Luann Laswell of Newton, KS.

She was preceded in death by her father Armond Vigneron, mother Jane Vigneron and stepmother Lillian Vigneron.