Arlene Margaret Voss Ries, 86

Arlene Margaret Voss Ries, 86, teacher, gardener, ranch wife and loving mother went to be with her Lord on May 11, 2021.

Arlene was born July 4, 1934, to Henry and Marjorie (Johnson) Voss on the family ranch 26 miles south of Wood Lake, NE. Arlene was very proud of her Independence Day birthday. As a child she attended country schools and told many stories of riding her horse to school. She attended high school in Ainsworth, graduating with the Class of 1953.

Following graduation, Arlene went on to teach at a one-room country school for two years. She then met and fell in love with Walter Ries, Jr. and they later married on September 22, 1956. “Dove” always had a special meaning for Arlene as this was Walt’s nickname for her. Walter was drafted shortly after they were wed. While Walter was deployed, Arlene stayed in Ainsworth and then they moved to New Jersey for a short period. From there they moved to the Ries family ranch south of Wood Lake, just miles from where Arlene was born. Walt and Arlene had three children and she had dreams of all her kids being pianists. Barb, Rod and Rolly fought hard not to carry out that dream.

While raising her children, Arlene loved to plant a huge garden, can the produce and have a well-kept yard. She served dinner for the crew daily which always included her huge array of desserts, meat, veggies, and potatoes…LOTS of potatoes. Arlene prepared many branding dinners and fed many, many neighbors. She had several fond memories of her neighborhood. She put on a heck of a spread and no one left without a belly full. The house was often filled with a fresh bread aroma, and her homemade cinnamon rolls were the best. Arlene loved to sew and made the most beautiful quilts for miles around. She was very proud of her quilts and loved to show them off.

Arlene was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church. She was a 35-year member of the Wood Lake American Legion Auxiliary Unit 202 and was very proud of her men and women that served. She was also a member of the Hills and Trails F.C.E. Council. In 2021 Arlene received her 65-year F.C.E. membership pin. Arlene had a special place in her heart for those two groups. She always considered them her life-long friends and spoke highly of them. The Nebraska State F.C.E. Conference was always a fun time and produced many memories and stories that Arlene remembered right up to her time of passing. She had many conversations about those memories, including the pranks they pulled on each other!

Arlene is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Marjorie Voss; parents-in-law, Walter and Cecelia Ries; and brother-in-law, Larry Valley.

Survivors include her husband, Walter Ries, Jr. of Wood Lake; daughter, Barbara (Wayne) Ohlrichs of Norfolk, NE; sons, Rodney (Lynn) Ries of Wood Lake and Roland Ries of Lincoln, NE, Mark Messenger of Wood Lake was also thought of as a son to Arlene; grandchildren, Zach (Stacy) Ries of Belleville, MO and Aspen Ries of Ainsworth, NE; greatgrandchildren, Beau and Cecelia Ries; brothers, Jerry (Doris Kay) Voss of Nebraska, Darwin (Ruth) Voss of Kansas, Eldon Voss of Montana, Kayo (Sid) Voss of Washington; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob (Kay) Ries of Nebraska, JoAnn Valley of Washington, Richard (Cyndi) Ries of Nebraska, Roger (Beverly) Ries of California and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials be given to the Wood Lake American Legion Auxiliary Unit or Hills and Trails F.C.E. to support college scholarships for local high school students.