Claudine A. Riess

ROCHESTER -- Claudine A. Riess, age 85, of Rochester, Minn., died Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, Minn.

Claudine was born March 20, 1920, in Winneshiek County, Iowa. She married Walter W. Riess on April 20, 1947, in Rochester, Minn. In 1950 they moved to rural Pine Island, Minn., where they farmed until 1969. She was a volunteer in the Pine Island school system's immunization programs. In 1969 they moved to Rochester, Minn., until moving to Garrison, Minn., in December of 2004. She was a registered nurse at the Mayo Clinic for 20 years. Walter was a Rochester City Letter Carrier. She attended Canton Public Schools, Luther College and the Kahler School of Nursing. Claudine loved dancing, playing cards and entertaining. She was a member of the Methodist Kahler Alumni Association and Bethel Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her husband, Walter; sons James (Marlys) Riess of Pine River, Minn., and Robert (Cynthia) Riess of Brainerd, Minn.; daughter Karen (Ewald) Fandrey of Red Wing, Minn.; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be Monday, Aug. 22, 2005, at 1:30 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minn., with the Rev. Linda Helberg officiating. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester, Minn. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Memorials are suggested to Seasons Hospice, the Mayo Clinic for Endocrinology, cancer research, or donor's choice in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements are with Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes in Rochester.