Leo (Pat) J. Ries

Leo (Pat) Ries, 93, of Lomira passed away on Friday, January 7, 2022, at his home. He was born on the Shady Lawn farm in Lomira on October 21, 1928, and continued to live there his entire life. He graduated from Lomira High School and grew up working on the family farm. In addition to dairy farming, he also worked as a milk hauler, fieldman for multiple milk companies, and as a sporting goods salesperson. Pat married Eileen Guth on August 7, 1954. They remained happily married for 53 years, before her passing in 2007, and together raised four children.

Throughout his life, Pat developed many leisure-time interests. He was an active sportsman, excelling in golf, bowling, trapshooting, hunting, and fishing, to name a few. He was proud to be a co-founder of the Lomira Sportsmen’s Club (founded in 1964), a place where local residents still continue to gather for trapshooting, socializing, and meeting new friends. He also was an active member of the Lomira Lions Club for many years.

On the farm, one could often find Pat tinkering in his workshop or grooming his yard. He was a self-taught woodworker, happy to design and build bird houses, as well as other items requested by family and friends. He and Eileen took great pride in the appearance of their farm, garden, and lawn; they welcomed all friends who visited – even the feathered variety.

Pat enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, like going for a ride with the family in the evening to check crops in the area, playing cards with neighbors, cheering on the Packers and Brewers, spending time at the family cottage, or just visiting with friends at the kitchen table.

Pat said he lived a good life, had a wonderful wife and family, and made great friends along the way. He believed in being a good neighbor and helping others. He always paid good deeds forward and asked nothing in return.

Survivors include his daughters, Margaret (Doug) Green, Susan (Chris) Dreyer, and Patricia Ries; son, Scott (Diane) Ries; two grandchildren, Tyler and Trinity Ries; two step-grandchildren, Bill (Tammy) Green and Ann Schlag; five step-great-grandchildren; his sister, Beaty (Buddy) Schill; later-life companion, Janice Zamzow; and many special relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen; parents, Frank and Margaret (Zingsheim) Ries; stepmother, Veronica Ries; father-in-law, Ervin Guth; mother-in-law, Ella Guth; step-mother-in-law, Olive Guth; sister, Bernice Cook; brothers-in-law, Bill Cook and Marvin Sell; and sister-in-law, Marion Sell.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 5:00 PM. There will be no prior visitation, and a private family entombment will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Pat’s name may be directed to the Lomira Sportsmen’s Club, N7699 West Bend Road, Theresa, WI 53091, a charity of your choice, or simply reach out to others with a random act of kindness.

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