Eugene F. Ries

Eugene F. Ries, 99, of Fond du Lac, passed away Sunday, August 28, 2022, at Harbor Haven. He was born March 9, 1923, the son of George and Hilaria (Bonlender) Ries in the Town of Bryon. Eugene graduated from Fond du Lac Senior High School in 1942, attended Dodge County Teacher’s College, and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Oshkosh State College in upper education. He married Priscilla Sabel at Holy Cross Church in Mt. Calvary on November 9, 1946 and she preceded him in death on May 13, 2009.

Together they bought a dairy farm in Eden and farmed 17 years. With his family, he moved to Kewaskum and started his teaching career at the Wayne Center School in the Town of Wayne, WI. He was an elementary teacher at various schools including Hancock, Palmyra, Oshkosh, and Rosendale. Retiring from teaching but loving the profession and with a strong belief that education opens children’s minds, he continued to be a teacher’s aide at St. Joseph Elementary School in Fond du Lac for 11 years while working as a security guard at Mercury Marine.

He was an active member of Holy Family Church and distributed communion for many years at St. Joseph Church in Fond du Lac. Eugene was a member of the Noon Optimist Club, Knights of Columbus, and Retired Educators Association. He enjoyed spending time with family, camping, golfing, fishing, and traveling.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen (Glen) Donahue of Fond du Lac; son, James (Shirley) Ries of Fox Crossinng; two grandchildren, Tyler (Aubriana) Donahue of Fond du Lac and Tim Donahue of Fond du Lac; two great grandchildren Maddison Donahue and MacKenzie Donahue of Fond du Lac; sister, Alice Kovensky of Chilton; two sisters-in-law, Mary Ries of Peshtigo and Angeline (Robert) Briester of Fond du Lac; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Priscilla; two brothers, Ray and Harold Ries; two sisters-in-law, Virginia Ries and Darlene Sabel; two brothers-in-law Gerald Kovensky and Othmar Sabel; and other relatives.

The visitation will be held on Friday, September 2, 2022, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 PM at the church with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Eugene’s family would like to send a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Harbor Haven for providing such companionate care for the last 4 years.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com