Harold L. Ries

harold ries

February 6, 1942 ~ August 13, 2014


Resided in: Pueblo West, CO

Harold Lewis Ries was born on February 6, 1942, in Tyler, Minn., to Alfred B. and Evelyn Andersen Ries. He grew up in the home of Raymond and Eva Schrunk of Lynd, Minn. After graduating from Lynd High School, he worked on a wheat farm in the Texas panhandle. He then enlisted in the United States Army and served in Germany. Afterward, he worked as a diesel-electric mechanic on the Burlington Northern Railroad in Lincoln, Nebr. He married Bernice Laura Meyer on September 10, 1967, in Seward Nebraska. In 1969, he began a career in data processing and information technology primarily in the South Dakota government. He retired in 1999, and moved from Pierre, S.D. to Pueblo West, Colo. in 2003. He was a member and former trustee of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Pueblo West. He loved to hunt, fish, camp (especially in the Black Hills of South Dakota), motorcycle and travel. With Jim Dickson, of Freeport, Ill., he made ten trips to Alaska by motorcycle from 1986 to 2013. The two also toured every state in the United States, except Hawaii, and nearly every Canadian province and territory. He was a faithful attendee for more than 30 years at annual events (Taco Run and Chili Dash) sponsored by the Flying Dutchmen Motorcycle Club of New Ulm, Minn. Harold is survived by his wife, Bernice Laura Ries of Pueblo West; sons, Joren Ries (Vanessa Wielenga) of Lincoln, Neb. and Anthony (Kristin) Ries of Littleton, Colo; daughters, Alissa (Donald) Gunning of Lincoln, Neb. and Jenelle Ries of Billings, Mont.; sister, Marjorie (Marlian 'Pete') Petersen of Lake Benton, Minn; sisters-in-law, Kay Ries of Boerne, Tex. and Donna Ries of Ord, Neb.; foster brothers, Ray Schrunk of Smyrna, Ga. and Jim Schrunk of Bethel, Minn; grandchildren, Tiegan Gunning of Lincoln, Neb., Logan, Hailey, Alexis, Hunter, Levi and Sawyer Ries of Littleton, Colo; Ty, Lane and Beau Ries of Billings, Mont.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Alfred B. Ries and Evelyn Ries; step-mother, Audrey Ries; brothers, Richard and James Ries; sister, Janice Nielsen; and infant granddaughter, Hannah Ries. Honorable mention: Our Savior's Lutheran Church Tuesday Morning Breakfast Group and Thursday Morning Bible Study: Hon Chu, John Denny, Robert ('Bob') Eggert, John Holeton, Tony Kraus, Larry Riddle, Richard Rolen, Gregor Ronning, James ('Chip') Scully, Earl Trantham and Douglas Westlund; and the Flying Dutchmen Motorcycle Club of New Ulm, Minn. Service, 1 p.m. Friday, August 22, 2014, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 275 W. John Powell Blvd., Pueblo West. Interment, 2 p.m. Friday, September 5, 2014, Black Hills National Cemetery, South Dakota. Memorials may be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church Building Fund, 275 John Powell Blvd., Pueblo West, CO 81007, Trisomy 18 Foundation, M.E.N.D. (Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death), or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com

View current weather.

Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Laura,
    Just wanted to let you know that your Neighbors (On Dowd) are here for you during this difficult time. If you need anything, do not hesitate to call upon us. You are in our Thoughts and Prayers. Sincerely Troy Warren and Jay Carson

  2. Dear Laura and family,
    I want you to know how sorry I am to hear about Harold and please know that you are in my thoughts and in my prayers. Keep your faith that he is in a better place and now he’s cruising on his motorcycle to all his favorite places and visiting those places he always wanted to see!
    Sincerely,
    Liz Williams and family

  3. Dear Laura and family. You have our deepest sympathy with the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. We went to school with Harold all 12 years and always enjoyed his visit to Lynd on his motorcycle with his buddies. We will miss those visits and Harold was a great class mate. I’ll try put a picture in of one of his trips to Lynd. You have our deepest sympathy. Sandy & Mike Buesing and Val & Betty Nelson


Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle

  1. CandleImage
  2. CandleImage
  3. CandleImage
  4. CandleImage
  5. CandleImage
  6. CandleImage
  7. CandleImage
  8. CandleImage

Accessibility Tools
hide