Karl Ries

Karl Ries, 66, of Parker passed away on Aug. 31st at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls. Private family services will be held at a later date. 

Karlyn Jon Ries was born October 31, 1958 to Marvin and Jane (Kaufman) Ries. He joined an older brother and sister, Murray and Lynelle, and later welcomed baby sister Susan, making the family complete. He attended McDonald District #17 country grade school, finishing 7th and 8th grade in Marion Public School, before graduating from Freeman Academy in 1976. He was baptized at Salem Mennonite Church on May 25, 1975, where he was a loyal and active member for many years before his cancer started to somewhat take him out of circulation.

Enjoying a lengthy career as a farmer, Karl’s agricultural experience carried over to his skill in caring for his yard. His pruning, mowing, fertilizing, and watering of his lawn and the many plants he nurtured made that skill quite evident. Over the years, many stray cats showed up in his farmyard, and he always saw to it that they were provided food and shelter. Very little made him happier than being out in God’s creation. With his dry sense of humor, combined with some of the friends he associated with, Karl was provided with the opportunity to be both the instigator and the recipient of many well-planned pranks. Karl had a heart of service, often giving quietly to those in need. He served for many years with the Mennonite Disaster Service, travelling throughout South Dakota and into Nebraska, assisting with the cleanup and reconstruction of property damaged by storms and other catastrophes. In his later years, Karl also found time to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, helping to build housing for those less fortunate. Karl also spent many years as a volunteer working with a small group of dedicated individuals, renovating, building, and generally keeping up the campus of his alma mater, Freeman Academy. When not volunteering, he spent some of his spare time with wood working projects, turning out countless, beautifully hand-crafted chess sets. These sets were often donated to charity auction events, or gifted to family and friends. He never sought recognition for his years of service, he simply wanted to make a little bit of a difference.

Karl passed away on August 31, 2025 with his family at his side. He was buried at the Salem Mennonite Church Cemetery in a private family service. Surviving Karl are his brother, Murray Ries and wife Emily, sisters, Lynelle Andal and husband Steve, and Susan Bot; aunt JoAnn Ries and uncle Alan Ries; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Karl is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Jane Ries; brother in law Jon Bot; aunts and uncles, Bervin and Doris Sherard, Delbert and Delores Kaufman, Clyde and Fern Kaufman, Allen and Ardelle Schrag, LeMoyne Ries and Sara Ries; nephews Adam Ries and Aaron Ries; cousins Judith Kaufman, Karen Cressman, and Lori Candee.