
Nancy Ann Sova, age 60, of East Bethel died October 19, 2023. The Funeral Service will be held on November 4, 2023 at Circle B Wedding and Events Center at 27498 Railroad Ave, Isanti, MN 55040. Visitation and luncheon will be held from 11-130, Eulogies given at 1:45 pm, and the Funeral Service will be at 2pm (same location).
In true Nancy fashion, as we would hardly ever see her wearing black or white, and to reflect the color she would bring to all those she encountered, please wear vibrant colors.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation to Nancy’s Memorial Fund, please follow this link to the website https://gofund.me/e17edfd2. We would also love to hear about memories or condolences through the use of this website. Thank you.
Nancy Ann Sova (December 11, 1962-October 19, 2023) lived one beautiful, crazy life. Born to Orville and Bernie Rieland, Nancy grew up on the family farm in Melrose, MN- the middle child of 7. It was there she learned her strong work ethic and went to primary school. After graduating in 1981 she met Michael Hieb and in 1985 they were married. Together they had 2 beautiful girls: April and Colleen. It was in Colleen’s first year that Nancy underwent her first brain surgeries for her chronic headaches. Thus began a medical history that would take her and her family on quite the rollercoaster ride that included multiple chronic issues, as well as surviving a brain aneurysm and lung cancer.
During April and Colleen’s school years, Nancy, being unable to work, spent many hours volunteering for the art teachers at the kids’ elementary schools, attending school field trips, making the kids’ Halloween costumes and enjoying time with her family. All of this fed her drive for crafting and creativity. It was not unheard of for her to come back from a craft store with bags of supplies to make a minimum of 40 of whatever project she had her eyes set on.
After 19 years of marriage, Michael and Nancy divorced, but God had something– or rather, someone– exciting in store for her. In 2004 she met the man she would spend the rest of her days with; Ronnie Sova. To say they were happy together is an understatement. You could see it in the way Nancy lit up when Ron was around. Together they spent time fishing, hunting, and traveling alongside Ron’s work that took them all over the country. Alaska was a favorite of Nancy’s and they traveled there a total of 3 times. More recently they discovered their love of cruising and spent some time in the Caribbean. Being adventurous, Nancy and Ron even went ziplining on their cruise in 2023!
While she began her career as a stay at home mom, later Nancy took on her own cleaning business where she not just cleaned homes, but truly made a difference in her client’s lives, and they in hers. She always made it a point to get to know her clients, lending an ear when they needed to talk through hard times, and helping to celebrate the good ones.
In the most recent years, Nancy got to celebrate and enjoy one of her favorite new things in life; being a Grandma to 2 wonderful grandkids, Elijah (3.5) and Luna (1.5). She would get so excited when she knew she was going to see them. She always had fun things to share with them and enjoyed trips to the MN Zoo and the Science Museum.
Finally, Nancy’s generosity was unmatched as she was always thinking of others. She’d come home from shopping (raving about the amazing deals she got of course) excited to share what she got for someone special. This generosity could be seen in holiday gifting, with friends and family when they were in need (or even when she was just thinking of them), up until her last day when she donated both of her kidneys.
Nancy was preceded in death by her father Orville Rieland. Nancy lives on through the lives of her mother Bernie, her siblings Bruce, Brian, Lynne, John, Jennifer and Tim, her loving husband Ron, and her daughters April Robb (son-in-law Danny Robb, grandchildren Elijah & Luna Robb) and Colleen Hieb (Kory Mohs).
Nancy was a neighbor to me growing up . I took
Care if her when she was little
Neighbors to us after we and she say fur my kids
Very nice person rest in peace Nancy
Sending love to your family and especially your mon
I am Blessed to have met Nancy through my husband Eric whom worked with Mike.
Our families became very close very quickly & we enjoyed many years of nights with our families hanging & having tons of fun together!
I drove Nancy to appts for 3 months after one of her seizure episodes. They were trying to figure out why she had blacked out behind the wheel.
Amidst all of her health struggles, she was always a bright light; someone I enjoyed crafting with & just spending time while our kids played.
As life went on, Nancy & Mike divorced & we had lost connection. As both families kids aged, we got busy with our lives & went different directions.
I was blessed to reconnect with Nancy right before her 2nd wedding & I was able to do her hair & nails for the ceremony. We picked up right where we left off…we didnt miss a beat!
So many great times, so many great memories.
Rest in Peace my sweet friend,
may we reunite a 3rd time in heaven ❤️❤️❤️
Nancy, my sister, whom I will miss dearly.
Growing up we shared the same bedroom and would talk about many different topics, Nancy was the one who loved to stay in the kitchen and help mom bake, I however loved sports and loved to be outside, even though we had different hobbies we were still close. Nancy was 1 year, 1 month and 1 day younger than me, we would say that often to many people.
Nancy and I were mom’s main caregivers when she lived in her patio home when she was sick or got hurt.
Nancy will not have to suffer anymore and that is where I find my strength.
to get through this difficult time.
Rest In Peace, until we meet again.
I met Nancy and her family in 1988/1989 when I was an Au-pair girl at her friends house Sandy in Melrose. We always had a great time when we visited them.
On November 4th, I’ll be with you all in my mind with prayers from Germany. My deepest sympathy to the family and a silent greeting, Anke
My condolences to the entire family. I talked to her at the Wal-Mart in Sauk Centre where I work maybe a month or so ago. I have known her from high school.
I met Nancy almost 2 years ago when she started cleaning for us. I had a 1 & 3 year old at the time, and my husband worked evening shifts. With that schedule, and being a full time worker, I couldn’t keep up my house like I’d wished. Nancy was a saving grace. But through our time together she became a friend. And she didn’t know that she played a bigger role in my life, re-mothering me for the maternal support I lacked in my life to know how to care for a home, and care for myself in early motherhood. Nancy’s bright energy will be missed. She was an amazing person who cared so much!
I’ll be thinking of her often. Rest in peace.
Dear Ron, April, Colleen and families, Nancy was such a treasure to me and I know to you and soooo many others. We just flowed together and she made my days, especially, after losing my hubby John, 5/6/21, so much lighter and brighter! For over 7 yrs, she would come over to my house to help me clean….we would ALWAYS have lunch today first, talk about our families, show the latest pictures of them and what was new in their lives and ours and we always read from my daily devotional, Jesus Calling, (that we both had in our homes) and prayed for each other, hugged when we needed it and did much laughing and some crying together!! She and I could do anything together! If I needed extra things done she would help me with them, like hanging new curtain rods and drapes, pictures, painting, sewing, fixing a broken drawer, new door knob ( she was great with a power drill), help to take my outdoor furniture off and on the deck each year., re-organizing closets, cupboards, my garage and attic were her specialties! There was nothing she could not do and do well!
We were making plans on Monday 10/16/23 for her to have a sleepover early in November, after her cataract surgery while she recuperated, and watch movies and have a glass of wine at Stella’s Restaurant that she loved to go to! Ron and Nancy and I went out there last year for our birthdays in December for their delish walleye dinner…it is one of my favorite memories with them! We are going out for your birthday there again with Ron to celebrate you this year again at Stella,’s !!!
I so love these two dear friends! Ron has also helped me with many projects when I moved to my condo….you both have been such a blessing to me!🎁🎁
Ron and I cried so hard in each other’s arms that day in the hospital when Nancy passed into Jesus arms…we both expressing, “how are we going to live without our wonderful Nancy”! I know we have all cried for days, but we could not be happier for you , Nanc….you lived well and you loved your God, family, friends and country with such passion, grit and faith! YOU WERE GOD’S GIFT TO US ALL AND WE SO THANK GOD FOR HAVING YOU IN OUR LIVES! WE ARE SO GRATEFUL AND WE ALL MOURN NOT HAVING YOU WITH US BUT LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING YOUR AMAZING LIFE WITH SO MANY YOU HAVE TOUCHED AT YOUR MEMORIAL! Your life has taught us to LOVE BIG! THANKS NANCY….YOU WERE A BRIGHT LIGHT FROM HIM TO US!!!
It was so wonderful to finally meet your Mom, Bernie, sister Lynne, beautiful daughters, April and Colleen and their mates, in personal at the hospital! Your family is so precious and loving just like you.❤️
I will see you in heaven with Jesus someday and run into your arms my dear friend and sister in Christ and that brings me great COMFORT AND JOY! Love, your sister in the heart always, Connie Savageau❤️👆🏻😍🎶‼️
Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled. You are trusting, God, now trust in me. There are many mansions, up there, where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare one for your coming.” John 14:1-2