Larry D. Ries, 84, died Sunday, September 11, 2022, at Ness County Hospital, Ness City, KS. He was born on July 18, 1938, in Ness City, the son of Emil and Rachel (Wittig) Ries. He graduated from Bazine High School in 1956. He joined the US Army in 1957 until 1959 and was stationed in Seoul, Korea during the Korean War.
He married Josephine Falcon on August 17, 1963, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Bazine, KS. They moved to Dodge City where he worked for Pepsi Cola. Later they owned Trail Street Tavern and Wyatt Earp Hotel in the 1960’s. They moved to Denver where he worked at Montgomery Wards, then owned House of TV’s.
He moved his family back to Ness City in 1983 and owned Balloon’s West Restaurant. In 1985, they owned the Cozy Tavern and enjoyed making people laugh for 24 years. He loved to travel to Estes Park and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Josephine; sons: Wayne (Marilyn) Ries of Casa Grande, AZ; Sean (Erin) Ries of Ness City; daughter: Jolene (Steven) Morgan of LaCrosse; grandchildren: Nicholas Ries, Paige (Todd) Waye, Taylor and Hunter Morgan; step grandchildren: Katie (Brandon) and Alden; and step great granddaughter, Olivia; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws: Pedro and Margaret Falcon; sisters in law: Mary Alvarez and Gloria Falcon; and brother in law Frankie Falcon.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2022, 10:30 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City followed by burial and military rites in the Bazine Cemetery. Viewing will be at the funeral home on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Memorial contribution may be given in lieu of flowers to the Bazine American Legion Post 392 or the Veterans Memorial and Part, Ness City.
Words of sympathy and support may be left for the family by writing in the guest book.