Irving Ries

VULCAN – Irving Joseph Ries age 93, of Vulcan died on August 16, 2022, at Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community in Kingsford. Irving was born on June 6, 1929 in Norway, son of the late Edward and Jessie (Blommaert) Ries. He grew up in Vulcan and attended and graduated from Vulcan High School in 1947. He was proud to have graduated in the top 10 of his class; though with a smile he added that there were only 13 in his graduating class. Irving served in the United States Army in the 120th Combat Engineering Division of the 45th Infantry – The Thunderbirds. He served one year during the Korean War in the Chorwon Valley in what is now North Korea. Irving learned to operate heavy equipment in the service; skills he would use for the rest of his life. On August 8, 1953, Irving married Audre Marie Perket at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Spalding. Irving and Audre made their first home in Norway. They later moved to Vulcan where they lived the remainder of their lives. She preceded him in death on August 2, 1985. Irving worked at the Staso/GAF open pit mine in Pembine, WI for over 30 years. He started as a shovel operator in the pit but spent most of his career in the maintenance department. Irving was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved being at his camp along the Sturgeon River near Foster City. He loved cutting trees, his land yielded Norway pine logs for no less than 4 log cabins. He is survived by his son Terrance (Sue) Ries of Grand Chute WI; daughter Krisanne (Jeff) Heigl of Vulcan; sister Maxine Coon of Hancock; five grandchildren Cory (Dawn) Heigl and Andrew Heigl, all of Vulcan, Katy Ries of Sheboygan WI, Jessa (Rob) Van Handel of Menasha, WI and Christopher Ries of La Crosse, WI; 4 great-grandchildren Alex and Tristan Heigl of Vulcan, and Jacob and Caleb Van Handel of Menasha WI; and 18 nieces and nephews. Irving is preceded in death by his brother Calvin and his wife of New Port Richey FL; brother-in-law Jay Bernard Coon of Hancock; sisters-in-law Jean (Tom Bal/Roy Pohlson) of Norway and Patsy (Edga) Bray of Spalding. Family will greet friends on Friday, September 9 from 10 to 12 p.m. at the Ortman Funeral Home in Norway. Interment will be held at the Norway Township Cemetery. Family asks you to consider Memorial Contributions be made to the Almost Home Animal Shelter or the UP-Honor Flight.

Irving Ries

June 6, 1929 - August 16, 2022