Ray J. Ries

Ray J. Ries, 91, of Fond du Lac, died Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at St. Agnes Hospital. He was born Raymond John Ries on June 3, 1927 in the Town of Byron, son of George and Hilaria Bonlander Ries. Ray graduated from L.P. Goodrich High School in 1948 and earned his teaching degree from Sheboygan County Teachers’ School in 1952. He later attended U.W. Oshkosh to earn his Bachelor of Education Degree in 1962. He married Virginia A. Juckem on August 11, 1956 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fond du Lac and she preceded him in death on July 8, 2015.



In 1955 Ray created the Points Reduction Class that is taught at Moraine Park Technical College. Ray was a principal in the Filmore School District from 1955 – 1959 and taught at Fairwater School District from 1959 – 1960. He joined the Fond du Lac School District in 1961 teaching 7th and 8th Grade and Special Education at Lincoln School and he taught Driver’s Education at L.P Goodrich High School until his retirement in 1987. Ray started Ries Driving School in May of 1969 and owned and operated the business until 1989. He was a member of the UW Oshkosh Alumni Association and a former member of the Elks Club. Ray enjoyed bowling, playing cards, coin collecting, 50’s music, casinos, old cars, traveling, camping, raising his children on Wolf Lake, and most of all loved learning and teaching.



He is survived by his children, Nancy (David Maret) Singer-Maret, Jean (John) Potter, Carol (Adam Holzman) Ries-Holzman, and Joseph (Michelle) Ries all of Fond du Lac; six grandchildren, Dr. Melissa (Kelly Egan) Singer-Pressman, Michael Singer, Whitney Holzman, Evan, Hunter, and Grant Ries; five great grandchildren, Madeline and Meredith Pressman, Hunter Wilson, Amelia and Cecily Egan; his brother, Eugene Ries of Fond du Lac; his sister, Alice Kovnesky of Chilton; sister-in-law, Mary Ries of Peshtigo; nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ginny; his brother, Harold Ries; sister-in-law, Priscilla Ries; brother-in-law, Gerald Kovnesky; and other relatives.



The visitation will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 AM on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 1, 2019 at Holy Family Church. Entombment will follow in Chapel of the Risen Christ Mausoleum, Calvary Cemetery.