Richard “Dick” E. Fries

Dick Fries, 70, Creston, passed away Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Greater Regional Medical Center, Creston. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday), April 6, at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Creston. Father Ken Halbur will officiate. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, west of Creston. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Holy Spirit Catholic Church or for scholarships at The Learning Center. Powers Funeral Home, Creston, was in charge of arrangements.
Richard Edward Fries, son of Howard Fries and Margaret (Tatro) Fries, was born Oct. 24, 1945, in Emmetsburg. He graduated from Cylinder High School in 1963. He received training as a Lab and X-ray Technician at a school in New Ulm, Minn. After graduating, he went into the United States Navy. After his discharge, Dick studied at Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg and then graduated from Buena Vista College of Storm Lake. Dick worked as a pharmaceutical sales rep for Abbott Laboratories, Great Falls, Mont.
On July 10, 1976, Dick married Karen A. Riedl in Emmetsburg. They settled in Emmetsburg, where Dick continued to work as an Industrial Engineer for Snap-on-Tools until 1979. Moving to Lake Mills, Dick worked as an Industrial Engineer for Fleetguard, later working as their Human Resource Manager. In 2000, Dick moved to Creston, and began his career with Bunn O Matic Corp. as their HR Manager. He retired in 2012.
Dicke was an avid golfer. He enjoyed biking and gardening. Other interests of Dick’s were playing board games with his kids and grandkids, playing cards, going on picnics, working as a craftsman in his woodshop and problem solving. Dick was also a lifelong Yankee and Packer fan.
Dick was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Creston. He had also served on the Southern Prairie YMCA Board and more recently, the Learning Center of Southwest Iowa Board. Additionally, he was a member of the Society of Human Resource Managers. In his Lake Mills days, he served on the Board of Education and as a treasurer for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife, Karen Fries, Creston; daughter, Michelle Krummel, Iowa City; three sons: Shannon Fries, Murdock, Neb., Michael (wife, Catherine) Fries, Grayslake, Ill.; and Christopher (wife Tara) Fries, Vacaville, Calif.; six grandchildren: Sean and Emily Krummel, Kyan, Aubrey and Koen Fries and Sondra Fries; one sister-in-law, Joan (husband, Rick) Heston, Dubuque; four brothers-in-law: Don (wife, Diane) Riedl, Sherrill; Jim (wife, Cindy) Riedl and John Riedl, both of Dubuque; and Tom (wife, Donna) Riedl, Omaha, Neb.
 Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his father- and mother-in-law, Ralph & Lucille Riedl; and a sister-in-law, Laura Riedl.

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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