Obituary of Kenneth J. Bries

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Kenneth J. Bries, 85, of Dyersville, Iowa passed away Friday, January 26, 2024 at MercyOne Senior Care in Dyersville, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 9 - 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at Saint Francis Xavier Basilica with burial in the church cemetery where military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post #137.  Rev. Chris Podhajsky will officiate.

Ken was born on July 2, 1938, in Luxemburg the son of Arnold and Regina (Ulbrich) Bries. He attended school in Luxemburg, Iowa and served in the United States Army. He met the love of his life, Lois Weber. They married on September 19, 1961, at St Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville. Together they owned and operated Wholesale Meats and Processing in Dyersville for nearly 30 years.

Ken grew up on a farm, one of 17 children. He learned to do farm work with his dad and brothers and housework with his mom. He especially liked housework on cold winter days. He was a jack of all trades and could fix just about anything, if you let him sleep on it. Ken enjoyed hunting, camping, including many winters in Arizona with Lois, coffee club with his friends, and cruising around in his Corvette.

Ken was a family man. He was always happy to spend time with his family. He entertained with stories of his childhood and ready to play games with his grandkids.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Lois; children: Pamela (Peter) Durin, Kurt Bries, Jayme (Dawn) Bries; grandchildren: Keaton, Noah, Ethan, Naomi, Sierra, Josh, Allysa, Aaron, Lexi, Bella, Wade, Landon, Cohen; four great-grandchildren; siblings: Leroy (Verna) Bries, Virgil (Janice) Bries, Mike (Marita) Bries, Ron (Lee) Bries, Harold (Lois) Bries, Gerry (Karen) Bries, Arnie (Joyce) Bries, Thelma (Dave) Oberbroeckling, Carol (John) Hartmann; in-laws: Darlene Bries, Theresa Bries, Arthur Weber, Kay (Bill) Recker, Gerald (Jan) Weber, Elaine Weber; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Gerard, parents, parents-in-law, Alphonse Weber and Edmund and Marcella Steger; siblings: Imogene (Carl) Feldman, JoAnn (Donald) Wille, Jim Bries, Charlie (Mary) Bries, Anna Marie Bries, Elmer Bries, Roger Bries; in-laws: Joan Weber and Joe Weber.

In lieu of gifts, flowers or donations to Hills and Dales are preferred.

The family would like to thank the staff at MercyOne Senior Care and Hospice of Dubuque.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer Funeral Home) 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA  52040.