David W. Ries 1932 - 2018

ELY, RIES, JONES

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/20/2018 at 23:24:42

Sioux City Journal
22 April 2018

Sergeant Bluff

David W. Ries, 85, of Sergeant Bluff, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2018.

Cremation has taken place and services will be held at a later date. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is assisting the family.

Dave was born in Arlington, Neb., on Oct. 25, 1932, the son of Nicholas and Charlotte (Ely) Ries.

Dave was married to Betty Jones on Dec. 6, 1953, in Austin, Texas. They were married for 55 years. Into this marriage, nine children were born.

Dave enlisted in the United States Air Force on Dec. 7, 1949, and served 20 honorable years before retiring as a Master Sergeant on July 16, 1971. He served in the Korean Conflict, the French-Egypt War, the Taiwan Straits Crisis, and the Vietnam War. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart and always joked with his kids and grandkids that later served to keep their head down when deployed because he already had enough Purple Hearts for the entire family.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Dave moved his family to Sergeant Bluff, to raise his children in a small town with a quality school system. After his kids graduated high school, Dave and Betty packed up and headed west to Montana so he could enjoy hunting and fishing. He loved the outdoors and instilled that passion in his kids and grandkids. Some of his fondest memories revolved around the time spent with family out on the water.

Dave also loved his dogs and bacon. He always had a dog (Labs, specifically) and took them everywhere (and fed them everything, including bacon). One of his last wishes was to be buried with the ashes of two of his dogs. Dave was also an active lifetime member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. You would never get a letter from him without a patriotic stamp. He was proud to be an American and a Veteran.

Dave is survived by five children, Susan Binford of Columbus, Mont., William Ries and his wife, Betty of Newalla, Okla., Tom Ries and his wife, Lisa of Rapid City, S.D., Laura Ries and Quentin Miles of Black Hawk, S.D., and Daniel Ries and his wife, Marianne of Shepherd, Mont. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, Nathan Chrestensen, William Ries, Jeff Fisk, Nikki Fisk, Ryan Ries, Robert Fisk, Jennifer Durham, Rebecca Rudolph, Megan Wilson, Tom Shearer, William Ries Jr., David Shearer, Steven McCaulley Jr., Jessica Hubner, Brian Cripe, Shelby Ries, Jonathan Ries, Sarah Cripe and Bryan Ries; and 23 great-grandchildren.

Dave is preceded in death by his wife, Betty; one daughter, Barbara; three sons, David, Jonathan and Joe; one grandchild, Elizabeth; and two sisters, Delores and Bonnie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the American Legion or VFW.