Donald Gries

Donald LeRoy Gries was born May 15, 1929, in Ute, Iowa to parents Elizabeth Henry and Leonard Gries. He passed away July 8, 2010, at his home in Charter Oak, Iowa, after a lengthy illness.
Don was baptized at the Church of Christ, June 23, 1940, in Ute, Iowa and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, Iowa, on June 13, 1954. He attended Ute Elementary School and Central Grade School in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated from the Ute High School in 1947. He graduated from Buena Vista College in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Don received a Master of Science Degree from Omaha University in 1965. He then proceed to earn a Specialist in Education Degree, Ed.S., from Omaha University in 1967.
After graduation from high school Don served in the army. He was assigned duty with the Army of Occupation in Japan. He was honorably discharged and then recalled to active duty during the Korean conflict. He was relieved from active duty in 1951 and honorably discharged from the Reserve in 1952.
He married Dorothy Ann Naab, daughter of Arthur and Edna Naab, September 8, 1950 in Onawa, Iowa. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September.
His career in education began as a teacher and athletic coach in the Holly Springs - Hornick School system and lasted for three years before joining the Ute Consolidated School in 1957. After serving as a teacher, coach and principal in the Charter Oak-Ute Community School District, in 1967 he became Superintendent of that same district until his retirement in 1992.
He furthered his career in public service with his election to the Iowa State Legislature as a member of the House of Representatives from 1993 through 1999 with his retirement. He served Area District 12 which serves Monona, Crawford and Woodbury Counties. He held the Chairmanship of the Education Committee for his full six years. He was also a member of the Ways and Means Committee; Environmental Protection; Small Business; Health and Human Rights Appropriations Subcommittee, and lastly the Ethics Committee.
Don was active in the community. He was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church serving as an usher until he became ill. He was active in the Ute, Iowa American Legion Post #442 and 56 years and a member of the Charter Oak Community Club.
If there was a "story" to be told Don was either telling it, or listening to a "story" and memorizing it to be told at another gathering. He loved his Friday coffee groups. He was an avid reader and golfer. He loved watching his children and grandchildren perform at events. He loved his children and grandchildren deeply.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Dorothy of a near 60 years; three daughters, Charlene Gries of Charter Oak; Karen Elizabeth McCord of Denison; Kris Anderson and her husband, Roger of Elk Point, South Dakota; and one son, Mark Gries of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; one brother, Terry H. Gries of Ozona, Texas and a half sister, Judy Rybolt of Wichita, Kansas.
He is also survived by three granddaughters, Audrey Jent and her husband, Brandon; Emily Merrigan and her husband, Rian; and Christy Gries; one grandson, Casey Gries; and two great-granddaughters, Aylah and Monroe Jent. He loved to "tease" his grandchildren and vice versa.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, two sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles and cousins.