Loretta Jeanne Rieley

Loretta Jeanne Rieley, age 96 of Lake City, passed away October 30, 2025 at home with family.
Loretta Jeanne Rieley (Blades) was born November 9, 1928 in Beaverton, Michigan, in the home of her parents Earl and Philota (Dumont) Blades. From age two, she was raised by her father, Earl and stepmother, Virginia (Davis) Kennedy-Blades after the death of her biological mother, Philota.
Loretta, better known by her middle name, Jeanne, grew up in the country on a family farm near the Tobacco River. She helped tend cattle and sheep, along with her brothers and sister, and was responsible for daily household chores and milking the cattle. This was valuable experience, which instilled values of self-reliance, perseverance, and an appreciative outlook; and the whole family enjoyed the freedom of living in the country. She attended church and Sunday School at the scenic stone Dale Methodist Church, where she learned the way of Salvation, and was baptized, and joined the church at age fourteen, along with her mother, Virginia and sister, Myra. She graduated from Beaverton High School with honors in 1946, and before she went to further her education, she became engaged and married her one true love George Rieley on November 30, 1946.
While living in the Detroit area (Wayne County) with her husband, George, she attended the Detroit Conservatory of Music, and the Wurlitzer Conservatory. While in Detroit, she performed all of the bookkeeping duties for her husband's successful excavating and land development business. They resided in Wayne County until 1951, when she and George bought a large ranch near Lake City, Michigan. Loretta performed all of the bookkeeping for the ranch throughout her years. The Maplewood Ranch employs beef cattle to this day. Loretta and George moved back to the Detroit area one more time in the 1950's when cattle revenue sunk, but maintained the farm with the help of neighbors. They finally returned to Lake City, to Maplewood Ranch for good in 1968.
Loretta, better known as Jeanne, or in this case, Mrs. Rieley, taught piano to eager students in her home for forty plus years; art (drawing/painting), music, and tutoring at Lake City Schools, and one full summer of tutoring at her home near Lake City. Between her residence in Detroit and Lake City, Loretta played both piano and organ regularly at church, directed choral groups, taught Sunday School, served as Superintendent of Sunday School, and was the chairperson of various ladies' groups. She also enjoyed flower arranging, and supplied floral arrangements for church services and other events through the years. Cake decorating, needlework, crafts, poetry and song writing and regularly baking were other interest in which Loretta thrived and enjoyed.
Loretta treasured the love of her God, and serving her savior Jesus Christ in whatever capacity. Her love was also very deep for her lifelong husband, George who passed in 2006, her children, Kathleen (passed in 2000) and John Rieley, her son-in-law, Barry Nikolitch, her beloved grandchildren, Jason and Eric Nikolitch, whom she spoiled and gave too much benefit of the doubt for!
Loretta also had a great love for her sisters, Myra, Barb and husband, Ed, and Donna; brothers Adrian and wife, Velma, Mike and wife, Betty, Bill, and Clare and wife, Rosanna. All passed on before Loretta. She was very close and loved very much by her niece, Debra Johnson (Morgan) who passed before, daughter of Loretta's sister, Barb, and Debra's husband, Walley who passed, and their daughter, Loretta's great niece, Lizabeth and husband, Ryan.
She also had many long-time friends whom she loved dearly, in which she chose not to list because she didn't want to miss anyone. You all know who you are! Loretta loved you all so much.
A Memorial Service will be 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025 at the Lake City Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Right to Life of Michigan or Christian Broadcasting Network.
Burial will be in the West Branch Township Cemetery.
The Young-Holdship Funeral Home of Lake City is serving the family. Words of comfort and memories may be shared on www.holdshipfuneralhomes.com.
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