Wesley's Obituary
Wesley George Ries, 90, of Great Falls, MT entered Heaven in the early hours of Christmas morning, 2022.
Wesley was born in Aberdeen, SD on April 17, 1932. He attended McKinley Elementary, Simmons Jr. High School, and Central High School in Aberdeen, graduating in 1950. He then served in the Korean War with the Army National Guard from 1950 -1952, being stationed in Colorado and Alaska for the duration of his service time.
After discharge from the Army. Wesley attended Northern State Teacher's College in Aberdeen receiving a BS degree in 1956. Subsequently he attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks graduating with a Master of Science in 1965. He completed all of the coursework towards a doctorate in education at Nova University in Florida in the early 80s.
He married Dorothy Eisenbeis in Long Lake, SD in 1954. A daughter, Faith Ellen was born prematurely in 1955 in Aberdeen but lived only 2 days. A daughter, Kristal Rae was born in 1957 in Hialeah, FL. He divorced Dorothy in 1984 and married Daryl T. Ries in December 1984.
After college graduation, Wesley moved to Hialeah, FL to teach with the Dade County Public Schools. Throughout his 34-year teaching career he taught at the junior and senior high school levels in mathematics and science. Part-time he also taught at Florida State University and the University of Florida Extension in Dade County, and at Barry University in North Miami. The other schools in which he taught included Robert E. Lee Junior High School, Hialeah High School, Miami Jackson High School, and the Miami Agricultural High School. Additionally, for 8 years, he was the traveling science teacher for Dade County which took him formally to 60 different county schools. He was in administration as science supervisor, assistant principal, assistant district superintendent, assistant curriculum supervisor, and finally principal at the Agricultural School. As part of his career, he was fortunate in 1960 to spend several months at Oakridge Institute for Nuclear Studies for science enrichment where he studied under some of the most renown scientists of that period. He completed continuing education coursework at the University of Miami, Florida State University, Barry University, and the University of Florida.
Upon retirement from teaching in 1988, he and Daryl moved to Great Falls MT. where he began a mail order business, Western Carving Supplies. Expanding one of his hobbies into this business took him throughout the Northwest to woodcarving shows where he made many long-lasting friends. He also developed and coordinated the Montana Woodcarving Seminar each year from 1992 through 2003, where he brought 12-15 expert instructors to the University of Montana to hold week-long summer classes for upwards of 100 students.
His additional hobbies included hiking, photography, cross country skiing, canoeing, camping, fishing, swimming, traveling and hand spinning. He and Daryl especially enjoyed their many travels to Greece. While still in Florida he was one of the initial hikers to build the Southern portion of the Florida Trail. He was extremely active with this group, functioning as a group leader and guide, and spent 32 years hiking and canoeing in the Florida Everglades with many hardy friends. In his 80s he found custom electric assist Trikes and purchased one for lovely rides on the trail system in Great Falls on sunny days.
Church has always been an integral part of Wesley's life. While he was raised Methodist, he converted to Lutheranism in Hialeah. He served in many leadership roles at St. Andrew's Church in Hialeah both at the council level and in educational roles. Subsequently he was an active member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Hialeah. In Great Falls he served as an active member in leadership and educational roles of First English Church, then Faith Lutheran Church, and finally New Hope Lutheran Church.
Wesley is survived by his wife Daryl, daughter Kristal, grandchildren William (Danielle) McHugh and Kaitlyn McHugh (Steven) Wasner, and most delightful great-grandson Harvey Wasner of Wilmington, NC; sister Patti Diede of OR; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by parents Gertrude Mae Riley Ries and Merrill Gregory Ries; daughter, Faith Ellen; sister, Kathy Miller; brother, Robert; and niece, Cynthia.
Cremation has been arranged. A celebration of life will be held in early Spring with "really good coffee and doughnuts" being served as Wesley's last request!
Memorials are suggested to New Hope Lutheran Church or an animal rescue and no kill shelter of your choice.
