Stephen Joseph Ries deceased Wednesday, June 17, 2015. He was born January 23, 1935, in Conrad, MT, son of the late Alfred and Mary Ries.
Survivors include his wife Patricia (Painter) of 55 years, his eleven children; Catherine, Thomas (Heidi), Elizabeth, Theresa, William (Kimberly), Margaret, Michael (Kelly), Jonathan (Elizabeth), Jennifer (Brian Bunel), Christopher (Toni) and Daniel (Megan); 39 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren, his siblings (Marian, Sister Bernadette O.P., Emma Jean, John and Veronica). Stephen is also survived by many extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Francis and his sister, Cecelia.
A rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday June 22 at Retz Funeral Home, 315 6th Ave. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23 at Holy Cross Church, 449 Hoback. Burial with military honors will take place at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A reception will follow the burial in the social center of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Holy Cross Church, PO Box 382, Helena, MT 59624 or to an organization or charity of the donor’s choice.
Service Schedule
Rosary
5:30 p.m.
Monday June 22, 2015
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Family Receiving Friends
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Monday June 22, 2015
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 23, 2015
Holy Cross Church
449 N. Hoback Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately after the Mass
Tuesday June 23, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heros Row
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Reception
Immediately following the burial
Tuesday June 23, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Social Center
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Rosary
5:30 p.m.
Monday June 22, 2015
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Family Receiving Friends
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Monday June 22, 2015
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday June 23, 2015
Holy Cross Church
449 N. Hoback Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
Immediately after the Mass
Tuesday June 23, 2015
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heros Row
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Reception
Immediately following the burial
Tuesday June 23, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Social Center
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
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Tony and Therese Lamb and family says
Dear Pat and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you especially at this time. Steve was an exceptionally fine gentleman, father and friend. He will be missed. Quia eripuit animam meam de morte: oculos meos a lacrimis, pedes meos a lapsu. Placebo Domino in regione vivorum. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
In Jesus and Mary,
Tony, Therese, John, Daniel and Minnie
Jeanne Sangray says
Dear Pat and family,
I have a very fond memory of Steve walking my deaf dog back across Green Meadow to me. So sorry for your loss. May God’s peace be with you.
Jeanne Sangray
Bernadette Ries Lahr says
Growing up a “Ries” in Conrad, MT was special because there was so many of us! Family gatherings, KC picnics, weddings, even funerals were all places that we spent time together and just knowing that I was a part of all these great people was a source of strength, lots and lots of laughter and often a crazy stunt or two was very special.
Look out heaven, another Ries has joined the choir!
Bernadette
Cheryl Boucher says
Catherine and family – I am so sorry for the loss of your father. We girls never lose the need for our fathers! I know your faith and knowing you’ll see him again one day will bring you comfort., I hope your memories bring your heart peace and ease the pain.
Bless you all,
Cheryl and Frank
Elizabeth Riggin- Arlington, Washington says
My father was proud to be an American, and served in the Army for a time. He taught us that it was better to give, then to receive. He freely gave money when we asked. Dad enjoyed taking us camping in Glacier Park; sledding in the winter, and all year the adventures of surveying. Later he built a surveying company, and my brothers have the business today. Dad introduced us to avocadoes and ice cream. Since my dad could not afford traveling Europe with a large family, he purchased seasonal tickets to the “Travelogue series” . I remember the sound of Dad’s John Deer tractor plowing the field behind our house….spring planting was about to begin. I will miss his smile, sense of humor, but most of all his hugs at Christmas. He will truly be missed and not forgotten.
Susan Alexander says
Dear Auntie Pat and Family,
On behalf of the Rasmussen Family, we send our sincerest condolences. I have a warm memory of when Uncle Steve and a few of the boys came to Phoenix one year on a surveying trip. He made the effort to share time and lunch during their busy stay. Our prayers are with you all.
Love, Sue Rasmussen Alexander
Dennis Ries says
Dear Aunt Pat and Family,
I was very sad to here about Uncle Stephen. I wanted to share with you an old memory I had about Uncle. He came to Hawaii, I believe in the late 70s. I was just a young child, but I remember he had brought a metal detector. I remember him taking it to the beach and finding a necklace of sorts. I was so excited and curious about this machine, I looked through his brochures and tried to convince Dad to get one. I think all my brothers felt as I did and tried to convince Dad as well. But the thing I remember the most was his smile. When he smiled at me, I felt like l could trust him. He had a warm and trusting smile. I know my Dad and Uncle Stephen are together and they’re both watching over everyone.