Marilyn Jean Ries

Marilyn J. Ries, age 81, of Hastings, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on November 19, 1943, in Stillwater, Minnesota, to Roland and Loretta (Fenner) Lewerer. Marilyn grew up in Lake Elmo and attended school in Stillwater, where she discovered her love of reading and learning. After graduating from Stillwater High School, she went on to UW–River Falls, where she met the love of her life, Joe Ries. The two were married in 1963 and went on to raise their three children—Joseph, Christine, and Patrick.

They began their married life in Vermilion, and in 1971, they moved to Joe’s family farm in Vermilion Township. Marilyn embraced her role as a homemaker, mother, and farm wife. She was a woman of many talents, she loved to sew, quilt, garden, and weave baskets. She truly was the main cog in the wheel, the one who kept everything moving forward and everyone cared for.

When retirement came, Marilyn and Joe traded the farm fields for the open road. They spent winters in Arizona, riding their Harley, traveling across nearly every state in the United States and province of Canada, and enjoying life together.

Marilyn will be remembered for her spunk, her quick wit, and her ability to call it like she saw it. She was fun, honest, and fiercely loyal to her family. She had a special gift for storytelling and loved a good drive that started with a Bloody Mary and breakfast. She always put others before herself and faced every challenge in life, including her health battles, with courage and grace.

She is survived by her husband, Joe; her children, Joe (Bobbi) Ries, Chicky (Blake) Otte, and Pat (Jenny) Ries; grandchildren, Tony (Carsyn) Ries, Stephanie (Brent) Zeien, John (Maddie) Ries, Katie (Michael) Wardell, Tyler (Kelsey) Otte, Bret (Kayla) Otte, Eric (Laura) Otte, Colton (Jenna) Ries, Carly Ries (Dylan Bubendorf), and Cason Ries; nine great-grandchildren and one on the way; her brother, Gary (Rosemary) Lewerer; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Loretta Lewerer; her brother, Dennis Lewerer; and her sister, Sharon Lewerer.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion St, Hastings, MN, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., with a prayer service taking place at 5:30 p.m.

Arrangements are being handled by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.