The funeral service for Darrell Eugene Riess will be Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 11 a.m. in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home,1105 12 Street SE, Rochester, with the Reverend Monsignor Robert G. Meyer officiating. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the original Macken Funeral Home building on Monday October 20, 2014 and one hour prior to the service in River Park Chapel on Tuesday. Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens with military honors by American Legion Post #92.

Pallbearers will be Taylor Marie Riess, Jacob Riess, Grant Heller, Grace Heller, Dale Riess and David Riess.

Mr. Riess, 72, died Wednesday evening, October 15, 2014 at Season's Hospice after a brief stay. His death was due to COPD/Congestive Heart Failure.

Mr. Riess was born August 22, 1942 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester. He was the 6 ^th child and 6 ^th boy of 10 children born to Mildred (nee Meyers) and Julius Riess. At the end of his junior year at John Marshall High School, he moved to Plainview and assisted his Uncle Melvin and Aunt Eileen Meyers on their farm. Mr. Riess graduated from Plainview High School in 1960 and joined the U.S. Navy later that fall. Upon discharge in 1964, he began employment with Rochester Public Utilities. He retired as Transmission & Distribution Manager on October 31, 1998. Ever the consummate Lineman, his eyes were often on the overhead lines and not on the road when driving. On October 1, 1966, he married Karen A. Lyons at St. Joachim's Church in Plainview, MN.

She survives along with two children, Chad D. Riess of Kasson and Starr (Bonn) Heller of Rochester. Other survivors include grandchildren Taylor Marie (Jordan Hanson) Riess, Byron, Jacob D. Riess. Kasson, and Grant Heller and Grace Heller of Rochester, former daughter-in-law, Melissa Riess, Kasson; brothers Donald (Donna) Riess, Platteville, WI, Duane A. Riess and Larry (Char) Riess both of Rochester, Jim Riess, Marlboro, MA; sisters, Jan (Chuck) Rouillard and Julia Irish both of Rochester; sisters-in-law Sandy Riess, Yorkville, IL., Darlene Riess, Rochester, Jan (Lyle) Peters, Lake City, Barb Dickerman, Wabasha and brothers-in-law Bob (Jean) Lyons, Plainview, Ken Lyons, Lake City, Don (Shelly Zoller) Lyons of Faribault, and a large extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gerald (Jerry) Riess, Stanley Riess, Roger Riess and sister-in-law, Barbara Riess.

Mr. Riess was a member of the Wm. T. McCoy Post #92 Rochester and a member and 9-yr. president of his local IBEW #949 in the 1970's. He was a co-owner of the Ron-de-Voo Bar and Lounge and played an active volunteer role in the electrical construction of Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial. Mr. Riess was a volunteer mentor for the JSVP system and he and his family fostered 17 newborns over seven years for Catholic Charities.  Along with his brother, Stan, Darrell played Slo-pitch softball for years and coached Little League and RYBA. He played hours of gym and driveway basketball with his siblings, friends and children. Darrell enjoyed politics and relished the good animated conversations with friends and family – often to their chagrin!  He was a fan of the Vikings and the Twins. In retirement years, he was a spectator fan of his grandchildren's sports and activities, with an occasional bean bag game tossed in for good measure.

Quick-witted, steady and sure, Darrell's smile, twinkling eyes and earthly presence will be missed. His blessings were many and he spoke of them often.

Special thanks to Dr. Tom Poterucha, Mayo Care Transistions Lynn Borkenhagen and Mayo Hospice's Kathy Dale and colleagues for Darrell's care.You all brought smiles to his face and comfort to his body.

Memorials may be sent to Mayo Hospice Care or Mayo Clinic research in pulmonary and heart diseases.