Raymond F. Nitzki

Raymond F. Nitzki Age 90

The family of Raymond Francis Nitzki are deeply saddened by the passing of their beloved husband and father.

Ray was born January 16, 1936, on Chicago's south side. That winter season was one of the most intense, prolonged cold waves in North American history, characterized by severe, record-breaking low temperatures and heavy snow across the Midwest. Ray was the youngest of five children born to John and Mary (nee Puetz) Nitzki. His father died when Ray was only six years old and the family struggled to make ends meet for years following.

Ray enlisted in the Navy in 1954 and served two years on the battleship Iowa during peacetime. Ray was honorably discharged to attend college (DePaul) where he received an accounting degree. In May of 1960 his older brother Ed died suddenly at age 34 leaving behind a wife (Rosemary) and four children ages 7 and under. Ray immediately jumped in to help Rosemary manage the household chores, care for the children and faithfully take the family to church. Over this time, Ray and Rosemary fell in love and were married in October 1961 and had one son together in 1966. For 65 years, their marriage was strong as was their unwavering sense of family.

Employment over Ray's career included Argonne National Lab, Robert Bosch and Waste Management. His primary role was as a systems analyst working with IBM computers and coding in COBAL, Fortran and other computer languages that were in their infancy at the time. Ray was frugal (to say the least) and planned an early retirement at age 55 so he could fish and hunt every day.

By then, the children were grown and on their own, so Ray and Rosemary packed up their Oak Brook home and moved to Guttenberg, Iowa. They spent the next 32 years enjoying the Mississippi River in their backyard … literally.

When aging crept up on them and, to be closer to family, they moved to Franciscan Village in Lemont. This was in 2022.

Over the years Ray and Rosemary made dear and priceless friends and, their children have more "kissin' cousins" than the contents of 10 jars of pickled northern. Ray would be honored knowing that you are celebrating his life and legacy.

Beloved husband of Rosemary Frances Nitzki (nee Carroll).

Loving father of the late Edward (Carmina) Nitzki, Diane Nitzki-George (Jerry George), Susan (John) Heskett, Joanne (Donald) Mueller and John Nitzki.

Cherished grandfather of Edward, Carmina, Alexandra, Michael, James, Nicole, Natallie, Stephanie, Stacy, Kaley, Heather, Poppy, and the late Anthony.

Adored great grandfather of 20.

Visitation Friday 4 - 8 p.m.

Visitation Saturday 1:00 p.m. until time of service at 3:00 p.m. at the Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home, 9000 W. 151st Street, Orland Park. Repast Saturday, March 14 at 4:30 p.m., Silver Lake Country Club,14700 S 82nd Ave, Orland Park, IL 60462.

Interment private

In lieu of flowers donations to the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org would be appreciated.

Please leave a memory for the family on Raymond's Tribute Wall; your stories will bring comfort to his family. www.sheehyfh.com 708-857-7878