Donald "Don" Ries

Donald E. "Don" Ries, age 88 of Hastings, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at Regina Senior Living in Hastings. Donald Edmund, the son of Joseph and Ruth (Holthe) Ries, was born on February 14, 1930, in Watertown, South Dakota. Following his graduation from Watertown High School with the class of 1948, Don was united in marriage to Shirley Reilly in Florence, South Dakota in 1950. They continued to reside in Watertown until 1964 when they moved to Hastings with their six children. Don was a parts manager for many years until retiring from OBrien Chevrolet in 1992. He enjoyed time spent at the cabin, traveling, yardwork, playing cribbage, and spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; parents; brother, James; and by sisters, Jackie Bleeker and Dorothy Jacobson. Don is survived by his six children, Karen Ries of Green Bay, WI, Sheila (John) Shevlin of Plymouth, Thomas (Mary Beth) Ries of Burnsville, Teresa (Ted) Takala of St. Cloud, Kelly (Sheila) Ries of Hastings, and Joseph (Bev) Ries of Hastings; eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren; brother, William (Jan) Ries of Bellflower, CA; sister-in-law, Joanne Ries of Lakewood, CA; brother-in-law, Linus Reilly of Florence, SD; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Interment will be held at the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings, and will continue at church from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Monday morning. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Alzheimers Association or to the donors choice in memory of Don. A special thank you to the staff of The Commons on Marice in Eagan, the Pauline Unit at Regina Senior Living, and to both Brighton and Allina Hospice for their loving care they provided to Don. Arrangements are being completed by Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings.