Donald Matthias Friess, 88, passed away on January 10, 2018 at his home in Dodge City, Kansas.  He was born on July 17, 1929 in Ransom, Kansas, the son of Matthias and Mary (Roths) Friess.

He was a sales clerk at Ness and Ransom Coops. He was a member of the RansomVFW Post No. 7972 and former VFW Commander. He was a member of the Eagle's Club of Wakeeney, and a member of St. Aloysius Church and the Knights of Columbus in Ransom. We also worked on the Railroad. He was a United States Army Veteran who served during the Korean War.  On September 20, 1955 he married Theresa Pfannenstiel in Ness City.  He married Nancy Cramer on Friday, January 14th, 1977, in Ness City.

Survivors include wife, Nancy Friess of Dodge City, Kansas; daughters, Tamara Schweitzer of Ransom, Kansas, and Carolyn and John Custer of Helenville, Wisconsin; brothers, Daniel and Rita Friess of Spearville, Kansas, Elmer Friess of Easton, Pennsylvania, Fred Friess of Hays, Kansas, Harold Friess of Topeka, Kansas, Maurice and Debbie Friess of Ransom, Kansas; sisters, Catherine Ator of Prairie Village, Kansas, Janice and Ron Hornung of Spearville, Kansas, Mary Frances Flax of Ransom, Kansas, Rosella McLain of Ransom, Kansas, and Sister Janice Friess of Wichita, Kansas; 2 grandchildren, Lindsay and Tyson Flax, and Zachary Schweitzer; and 3 great-grandchildren, Casen, Austin, and Evan Flax, and special nephew, Lewis Flax of Dodge City, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Wallace Lynn Schweitzer; brothers, Bernard, Warren, Cletus, Eugene, and Lewis; and sisters, Laurene Marvin, Marjorie Flax, and Anna Mae Ferguson.

Viewing will be Sunday, January 14, 10:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. and Monday, January 15, 9:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home.

Rosary will be on Monday, January 15, 2018, 6:30 P.M. at St. Aloysius Church, Ransom.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 10:30 A.M., at the St. Aloysius Church, Ransom, Kansas followed by burial in the St. Aloysius Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Ransom VFW Post No. 7972 or St. Aloysius Church.

Words of sympathy and support may be left for the family by writing in the guest book below.