Nancy Falls

Nancy Falls age 101, of Red Wing, died peacefully Wednesday July 9, 2025 at her home. Her three children whom she loved dearly and who cherished her were at her bedside when she passed.

Born May 20th 1924 to John Harlin Geisse and Esther Wilhelmina (Wattawa) Geisse in Washington DC. She graduated from Holy Cross Academy in 1942 and then received a scholarship to Penn State University where she graduated in 1946 with a bachelors degree in biology. She started her career at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland working in the pathology department. Nancy then received a scholarship from the University of Minnesota and graduated with a Master of Science in Anatomy degree in 1950. She then focused on cancer research at both the University of Minnesota and the University of Illinois medical school. It was at the University of Illinois that she met Dr. John Falls and they were married in 1952. After completing his residency, the couple moved to Red Wing in 1955 where Dr. Falls joined the Interstate Medical Center (now Mayo).

Nancy had three children whom she loved, supported and encouraged at every stage of their lives and countless friends whose lives she touched in many meaningful ways.

Her commitment to education and understanding that every child should be provided with an opportunity to excel led her to be the founding catalyst of Red Wings first pre-school Rocking Horse Academy. Nancy was a member of several organizations including the League of Woman Voters and Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Later in life she met Herman Gregg who brought new friends, family, adventures, and much fun and laughter into her life along with annual winter getaways to Florida.

She loved life and shared her passions and curiosities with everyone she knew. She enjoyed books, research, music, politics, investing, world news, painting, birdwatching, gardening, nature, animals, (especially dogs) jewelry making, crocheting, and most of all engaging conversations with family, friends, and strangers.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John Francis Geisse and his wife, Mary; Dr. John Falls; and Herman Gregg. She is survived by her three children, John (Christina), Bruce (Shelly) and Sara (Alan) Falls; six grandchildren, John W., Angelina, Shane, Jared, Ryan and Noele; two great grandchildren, Bodhi and Lyla.

A very Heartfelt thank you goes out from Nancy’s family to all the many loving caregivers and neighbors who collectively made it possible for her to enjoy and spend the last 5 years of her life and her final moments in her house surrounded by the daily beauty of nature in her yard and the abundance of her beautiful plants and flowers inside.

A service is being planned and will be announced as soon as it’s finalized. Memorials are preferred to Melanoma Research Foundation.