Amelia June Ries

(Feb. 17, 2005)

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Powell for Amelia June Ries, 86, who died Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Powell Nursing Home.

Pastor Brett Balfour will officiate at services and burial in Crown Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

She was born in Shepherd/Billings, Mont., on June 9, 1918, to William and Elizabeth (Michael) Lehman. She grew up in the Belfry-Bridger region of Montana and graduated from high school in Bridger in 1935. After high school, she worked for a year as a nanny, then worked in the Golden Rule Store in Bridger until her marriage to Joe E. Ries on May 2, 1942.

She moved to Powell and worked with her husband on their farm for the next 50 years. She also worked as a cook in the Powell Public Schools for several years before retiring. She enjoyed family gatherings, gardening and canning and was an excellent cook.

Amelia was baptized June 23, 1918, in the German Congregational Lutheran Church in Billings. She was confirmed May 27, 1934, in St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bridger. She continued her life-long membership in Immanuel Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, Powell, where she belonged to the Ladies Aid Society and taught Sunday School for many years.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Joseph E. Ries of Powell; a son, Ronald Ries and wife Ann of Cody; a daughter, Betty Beaver and husband Michael of Laramie; one granddaughter, Lori Beaver of Aurora, Colo.; and three grandsons, David Beaver and wife Colleen of Newark, Del., Ryan Ries and wife Leanne of Wadena, Minn., and Rod Ries of Lakewood, Colo.; three great-grandchildren, Isaac Ries, Emma Ries and Zachary Beaver; one sister, Marie Pfeiffer of Windsor, Colo., and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Sophie, Hermina, Jenny and Minnie; and brothers Bill, Henry and August.

A small lunch will be served at Immanuel Lutheran following interment. For those who wish, memorials to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 223 E. 5th St., Powell, WY 82435, or the Powell Senior Center, 248 N. Gilbert St., Powell, WY 82435 would be appreciated by the family.