Obituary of Darlene Bries

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Mary “Darlene” Bries, 83, of Dyersville, Iowa passed away Monday, January 20, 2025 at MercyOne Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa.   

Visitation will be held from 2 - 7 p.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa.  Visitation will continue Tuesday morning from 9 - 10 a.m. at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral mass.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. January 28, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica,  in Dyersville with burial in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Luxemburg.  Rev. Tyler Raymond will officiate with Rev. Chris Podhajsky concelebrating.

Darlene was born  on June 4, 1941, in Petersburg, daughter of Raymond and Veronica (Nurre) Kruse. She was the middle child of four children. She graduated from the eigth grade Petersburg School. Darlene was a hired girl starting at 14 years old for many families in the area, and then worked at Ertl Toy Company.

She married James C. Bries on September 13, 1960, at SS. Peter & Paul Catholich Church, in Petersburg, Iowa. They began farming near Luxemburg in 1963 and farmed until 2011 when they moved to Dyersville.

She enjoyed interacting with others, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were her pride and joy, especially the time spent together on the farm. Darlene enjoyed quilting, playing euchre, and marbles with family and friends. She was a great cook and always took pride in a clean home. Her warm spirit and unwavering love touched countless lives, making her “Grandma Bries” to many.

Survivors include her children: Cathy (Karl) Kramer of Dyersville, Connie (Neal) Kluesner of Bankston, Chuck (Christina) Bries of Marion, Cindy (Mark “Chuck”) Kramer of Epworth; grandchildren: Jayme (Stephanie) Kramer, Nicole (Mike) Seipp, Kyle (Marissa) Kramer, Jesse Kluesner, Joshua (Kellie) Kluesner, Jordan (Sarah) Kluesner, Zachary Hart, Samuel (Kayla) Bries, Charlie Bries, Cody Gardner, Isabella (Matthew) Mattick;great-grandchildren: Ella and Emma Kramer, Gabrielle and Christian Seipp, Delaney and Parker Kramer, Chelsea Bussan, Aubrey and Jocelyn Kluesner, Hayden, Oaklynn, and Quinn Kluesner; brother, Larry (Julie) Kruse; in-laws: Betty Kruse, Leroy (Verna) Bries, Virgil (Janice) Bries, Michael (Marita) Bries, Ronald (Lee) Bries, Harold (Lois) Bries, Gerald (Karen) Bries, Arnold Jr. (Joyce) Bries, Thelma (David) Oberbroeckling, Carol (John) Hartmann, Lois Bries, Theresa Bries; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James in 2014, brothers, Alfred Kruse and Raymond Kruse Jr. in infancy; parents-in-law, Arnold Sr. and Regina (Ulbrich) Bries; in-laws: Imogene (Carl) Feldmann, JoAnn (Donald) Wille, Roger Bries, Kenneth Bries, Elmer Bries, Charlie (Mary) Bries, Anna Marie Bries in infancy; godson, Jayme Bries.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family.  Information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.