Thelma Ries
Thelma G. Ries, 92, of Augusta, passed away Friday evening, June 15, 2018 at the Augusta Health and Rehabilitation.
Thelma Gertrude Ries (Hall) was born on March 10, 1926 in Hindsboro, IL, to Lester and Gertrude (Wallace) Hall. She was united in marriage to the “Love of her Life” Arthur “Bud” Ries on January 22, 1944 in West Chicago, Il, where they lived for 2 years. The lived and farmed in Walworth, WI for 4 years; before moving to the farm on Brunzil Road in Augusta, where they lived for 37 years; until they retired in town, living there 23 years.
Thelma enjoyed gardening then gathering the harvest to be able to feed all the family and friends that came and shared a meal. She would always find a way to feed everyone at meal time. She enjoyed her flowers, hunting, camping and fishing. Her greatest love was for her family. “Buddy and Thel” were married 61 years. Together they raised 7 children, who gave them 23 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren. She always said “My family is my greatest blessing.”
“Let’s Get Grandma” was her favorite game she played with grandkids. We will miss this strong, loving, caring, wonderful woman that we call our Mom, Grandma, or “Grandma the Great.” She worked on the farm, at Bush Brothers, and she worked seasonal at King’s Cranberries. Thelma possessed such a great strength in her faith and love of Jesus. It always took her a while to go to sleep… as she prayed for all her family daily.
Thelma is survived by 3 sons, Ted and Judy Ries and Dan and Ernestina Ries all of Augusta, Glen and Marsha Ries of Walworth; 2 daughters, Connie and Bill Frie of Augusta, Paula and Wayne Ross of Osseo; one daughter-in-law, Susan Ries of Alaska; 22 grandkids and their spouses or special friends, Eric and Miranda Ries, Carrie and Kyle Hammer, Stacey and Scott Randall, Rebecca Romans and Mike Bechtel, Lindsey Ries and Mike Shymanski, Jason and Amy Ries, Angie and Ray Moore, Teri and Perry Tomkowiak, Tad and Leann Ries, Tracy and Tim Wilson, Matt and Nikki Ries, Luke and Dawn Ries, Jake and Kim Ries, Philip and Chrissy Ries, Sara Ries, Danielle and Nick Chaffin, Josh and Jess Frie, Mandy and Joel Brandt, Mark and Marisa Frie, Kayla and Zach Faldet, Jon Ross, Ning Ries; 49 great grandchildren, Erica, Macenzie, Cameron, Ayden, Elsie, Emelia and Easton, Abby and Michael, Zachary, Ellie, Macie, Izaak, Tristan, Emily, Tyler, Aliyah, Isaiah, Samara, Jenny, Brian, Alec, Taylor, Jordan, Coral, Nate, Ahna, Drew, Cal, Zach, Elliott, Logan, Beau, Ally, Carter, Jacob, Madeline, Amelia, Isaac, Kia, Leif, Mitchell, Maevery, Blaine, Brooks, Kiera, Silas, Brecken, Brendan; 4 great great grandchildren, Alyssa, Zoey, Jaylin, and Janesa; 2 sisters, Elizabeth Lundquist and Ellen Steel; 2 sisters-in-law, Grace and Al Hendrickson, Andrea Laezoroni; many nieces and nephews.
Thelma was preceded in death by her parents; husband Arthur Ries; 2 sons, Jim and Bill Ries; daughter-in-law Shirley Ries; grandson Timothy Ries; great grandson Nathanial Ries; 3 sisters, Edith Nickles, Mary Pease, Louise Kendall; 5 brothers, Wilbur, Ben, Lester, Ervel and Raymond Hall.
Thelma will be sadly missed by family and friends, resident friends and caregivers, our angels on earth at the Augusta Health and Rehab Center. A special thank you to Patsy and all the activity workers, especially the last 2 weeks. Mom didn’t want to miss activities and looked forward to playing and winning every day. You brightened her days.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta, with burial in St. John’s Haycreek Cemetery, rural Augusta. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and one hour prior to services Thursday at the funeral home.
Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com.
