Bries, Marcella A. 'Marcie'

Marcella A. “Marcie” Bries, 89, of 101 First St. SE, Epworth, died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, at Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville. Friends and relatives of Marcella may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, where a wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Services for Marcella will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Epworth, with the Rev. Michael Schueller presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery,

Marcella was born Dec. 10, 1922, in Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of Gregor and Mathilda (Billmeyer) Tegeler. She received her education in the rural Dyersville area schools. On Nov. 9, 1943, she was united in marriage to Francis “Fritz” Bries at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earlville. She was a member of St. Patrick's Parish in Epworth and its Altar and rosary Society. During her life she made over 6,000 rosaries for many individuals and missions.

She is survived by her husband, Francis Bries of Epworth; five sons, Dick (Mary) Bries of Farley, David Bries of Epworth, Francis G. “Fred” (Elaine) Bries of Zwingle, Steve (Wanda) Bries of Epworth and Randy (Lois) Bries of Independence; two daughters, Rose (John) Schechtman of Manchester and Mary Lynne (Don) McDermott of Epworth; 20 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; her stepmother, Delores Deutmeyer of Dyersville; two brothers, Donnie (Cathy) Tegeler and Herb Tegeler, both of Dyersville; and three sisters, Lu Overman of Dyersville, Bernice Holub of Prairieburg and Mary Jean (Henry) Westhoff of New Vienna.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Sandra Bries in 1958; four brothers, Ray Tegeler, Tony Tegeler, Gib Tegeler and Elmer Tegeler; and four sisters, Leona Gudenkauf, Helen Kramer, Norma Deppe and Lucille Tegeler in infancy.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at

Memorials may be given to St. Patrick's Parish in Epworth in Marcie's name.

Published Oct. 22, 2012 in The Gazette