Dan Friess, 82, died Thursday, September 1, 2022, at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph, Wichita.
He was born February 20, 1940, on the family farm near Ransom, the son of Mathias and Mary “Mayme” (Roths) Friess. He was a 1958 graduate of Ransom High School and a long- time Spearville resident. In addition to farming, he owned and operated D & R Auto Service, as well as worked at the Right Coop, Crustbuster, Orscheln Farm & Home, and Carquest.
He was a member of St. John the Baptist Church and 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1539 both in Spearville. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and watching sports, especially the Kansas City Royals.
On June 3, 1961, he married Rita Hoffman at Hays.
Survivors include: his wife of 61 years, Rita, Spearville; their 6 children: Carolyn “CJ” Friess and companion Randy Bilbeisi, Fairfield, Virginia; Roberta Crawford and husband Curtis, Wichita; Ruth Shank and husband Gavin, Park City; Joyce Raya and husband Paul, Hutchinson; Patrick Friess, Dodge City; and David Friess and wife Navid, Spearville; 8 grandchildren: Kirsten Burgett and husband John, Savannah Goolsby, Megan Crawford and fiancé, Zac Corrales, Jamie Mulcahy and husband Cavan, Nicolette Lindstrom and husband Jason, Nick Raya and wife Kristal, Bellanie Friess, and Jaelin Friess; 8 great grandchildren; 3 brothers: Harold Friess, Frederick Friess, and Maurice Friess; 4 sisters: Sr. Janice (Bernadette) Friess; Mary Frances Flax, Rosella McLain, and Cathy Ator.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Danita Ann Friess, infant great granddaughter, Katelyn Jo Burgett, 7 brothers; Cletus, Elmer, Lewis, Eugene, Donald, Warren, Bernard Friess and 4 sisters; Laurene Marvin, Marjorie Flax, Anna Mae Ferguson and Janice Hornung.
Vigil service followed by Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7:00 pm Monday, September 5, 2022, both at St. John the Baptist Church, Spearville. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Tuesday at the church with Fr. John Forkuoh presiding. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, Spearville. Visitation will be Monday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.
The family suggests memorials to the Knights of Columbus Council 1539, or the church, both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.