Raymond Francis Nitzki

Raymond Francis Nitzki, age 90, passed away in March 2026, leaving his family deeply saddened by the loss of their beloved husband and father.

Born on January 16, 1936, on Chicago’s south side during one of the most severe winters in North American history, Ray was the youngest of five children born to John and Mary (née Puetz) Nitzki. His father died when Ray was just six, and the family faced years of hardship. In 1954, he enlisted in the Navy and served two years aboard the battleship Iowa before receiving an honorable discharge to attend DePaul University, where he earned a degree in accounting.

In May 1960, Ray’s older brother Ed died suddenly at age 34, leaving behind his wife Rosemary and four young children. Ray stepped in without hesitation to help manage the household, care for the children, and keep the family connected to their church. Over time, he and Rosemary fell in love, marrying in October 1961 and welcoming a son together in 1966. Their marriage endured for 65 years, built on a deep and unwavering commitment to family.

Ray worked as a systems analyst at Argonne National Laboratory, Robert Bosch, and Waste Management, programming early IBM computers in languages such as COBOL and Fortran. Known for his extreme frugality, he retired at 55 to pursue his passions for fishing and hunting. He and Rosemary left their Oak Brook home for Guttenberg, Iowa, where they spent 32 joyful years living beside the Mississippi River. In 2022, they moved to Franciscan Village in Lemont to be closer to family.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Frances Nitzki (née Carroll); his children, Diane Nitzki-George (Jerry George), Susan (John) Heskett, Joanne (Donald) Mueller, and John Nitzki; thirteen cherished grandchildren; and twenty adored great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Edward (Carmina) Nitzki and grandson Anthony.