Elmer Leonard Bries, 82, of Monona, Iowa passed away Friday, January 6, 2023 at Elkader Care Center in Elkader, Iowa. Elmer was born March 6, 1940 to Arnold and Regina (Ulbrich) Bries in Luxemburg, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Holy Trinity Catholic School in Luxemburg, Iowa. Elmer proudly served in the United States Army and Reserve from 1959 to 1964.
On May 30, 1961, Elmer was united in marriage to the love of his life, Theresa Deutmeyer, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, Iowa. Six sons and one daughter were born to this union. From 1961 to 2001, Elmer and Theresa milked cows, raised hogs, and farmed many acres. They started out farming with his parents, then moved to Worthington, Iowa and finally to Monona in 1968. Currently, Elmer and Theresa own and operate Briezy Acres, south of Monona. Elmer was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, AMVETS and Gunder Cheese Factory Board. He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, playing euchre, carpentry, and restoring and collecting antique John Deere tractors and farm toys. Elmer loved children; one of his favorite memories was the Sunday evening softball games that were held on his front lawn for anyone that wanted to come and play ball and then enjoy a meal prepared by Theresa and Elmer afterwards. Sometimes there were over 40 people gathered to play ball and share a great meal.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Theresa Bries of Monona, Iowa; his children, Rodney (Doreen) Bries of Monona, Iowa, Rick (Sherri) Bries of Monona, Iowa, Mark (Beth) Bries of Monona, Iowa, Barbara (Jeff) Collins of Monona, Iowa, Jeffrey Bries (Basha Wolanska) of Rockford, Illinois, Gene (Jill) Bries of Elkader, Iowa and Russell (Tabbi) Bries of McGregor, Iowa; grandchildren, Amber (Brian) Rodas, Amanda (Mark) Donlon, Abigail (Zach) Burns, Alexandria (Samual) Tayek, Bradley Bries, Rachael Bries, Stephanie Bries, Christina (Abe) Karels, Tyler Collins, Hunter (Emily) Bries, Spencer (Anna) Bries, Kylee Bries, and Autumn Bries; step-grandchildren, Jessie Moses and Jennifer Dull, Zachary (Autumn Schuety), Derek (Tonya) Radloff, and Matthew (fiancé Nicole Steiber) Radloff; great-grandchildren, Axel and Emery Rodas, Mitchell, Madeline, Matthew, and Marshall Burns, Case, Remi and Kenzie Donlon, Evangeline and Theodore Tayek and Annora Bries; step-great-grandchildren, Colin and Cody Moses, Alexis Dull, Hudson Radloff, Bennett and Paisley Radloff; his siblings, LeRoy (Verna) Bries of Garnavillo, Iowa, Roger Bries of Dyersville, Iowa, Virgil (Janice) Bries of Luxemburg, Iowa, Ken (Lois) Bries of Dyersville, Iowa, Mike (Marita) Bries of New Vienna, Iowa, Thelma (Dave) Oberbroeckling of New Vienna, Iowa, Ron (Lee) Bries of Dyersville, Iowa, Harold (Lois) Bries of Guttenberg, Iowa, Gerry (Karen) Bries of Dyersville, Iowa, Arnie (Joyce) Bries of Dyersville, Iowa and Carol (John) Hartmann of Guttenberg, Iowa; sister-in-law, Darlene Bries of Dyersville, Iowa; his in-laws, Louis Berns of Monona, Iowa, Betty (Floyd) Westhoff of Guttenberg, Iowa, John (Joyce) Deutmeyer of Dyersville, Iowa and Jerry (Alice) Deutmeyer of Dyersville, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Elmer in death were his parents, Arnold and Regina Bries, his siblings, Imogene (Carl) Feldmann, JoAnn (Donald) Wille, Jim Bries, Charlie (Mary) Bries, and Anna Marie Bries; father and mother in-law, Albert and Marcella Deutmeyer, sister-in-law, Wilma Berns; great-granddaughter, Gracelynn Radloff; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a 3:30 prayer service on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Monona, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before mass time at the church on Wednesday.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Monona, Iowa with Rev. Martin Coolidge as the celebrant.
Lunch will follow at Monona Community Center.
Inurnment will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to St. Patrick Building Fund, Camp Courageous, and Monona Fire Department, or of your choice.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Monona, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.