Julia Ries

JULIA RIES

Manchester

Julia W. Ries, 96, of Manchester, passed away in her home on Friday, March 27, 2015, surrounded by her family. Her funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 30, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Manchester. Concele-brants: the Rev. Dan Knipper and the Rev. Joseph Schneider. Friends may call at St. Mary Catholic Church Parish Center in Manchester from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 29, and before services at the church on Monday beginning at 9 a.m. Interment: Calvary Cemetery, Ryan.

Julia was born on the family farm near Dyers-ville, Iowa, on May 10, 1918, the youngest child of August and Anna (Steffensmeier) Knipper. She married Matthew Ries on Tuesday morning, Nov. 15, 1939, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville. Together with Matt they raised their family and tended the land on a farm near Ryan.

She was devoted to her family and her faith throughout her life. During their years on the farm, Julia prayed the angels would protect her children as they headed out to play, chore, or work with the machinery. In later years, her family could count on her to pray for themselves and their children, espec-ially for the health of the newborn babies which became such an important part of her life.

Julia lived a full life as a farm wife and mother. She was an avid gardener and used the resources of her garden and the farm to prepare wonderful meals, which were topped off with the best pies and cakes. In retirement, Julia could be found with Matt fishing along the river, playing cards with friends, tending her flowers, or baking a pie for someone in need. While her body grew tired, her mind remained sharp. She tracked and could report back on many of her family's activities, especially the farmers' progress in planting and at harvest. Julia was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

Left to honor her memory are her surviving children, including Sister Irma Ries PBVM of Dubuque, Marvin (Karen) Ries of Ryan, Donna (Joe) Smith of Monticello, Jim (Pat) Ries of Monticello, Kenny (Karen) Ries of Ryan, Jerome (Mary Kay) Ries of Ryan, Jon (Becky) Ries of Manchester, Kevin (Colleen) Ries of Ryan, Julie (Kevin) Miller of Monticello, Kathy (Rick) Davis of Marion, Carla (Garry) Zumbach of Monticello and Janella (Mick) Neverman of Manchester; and son-in-law, Glen Paulsen of Kimberling City, Mo. Julia was blessed with 49 grandchildren and 65 great-grandchildren, with two more expected this summer. She also is survived by sisters-in-law, Alice Olberding and Mabel Kronlage.

For the past few years, her children assumed the caretaker duties for Julia, allowing her to stay in the home she was so com-fortable in. In bed at night, she could be heard saying the rosary and praying for the souls of those she was looking forward to seeing again one day, including her parents and husband, Matt; her daughter, Mary Paulsen, and granddaughter, Sandy Ries; and her siblings, Andrew Knipper, Linus Knipper, Clarence Knipper, Hilda Pottebaum, Agnes Vaske and Linda Elenz.

Online condolences may be left at www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

The Ries family would like to thank St. Mary Parish nurse, Janice Loecke and Hospice of Comfort for all of their wonderful care and support.