January 7, 1925 – November 23, 2018

DODGE CITY - This is the story of Elmer Nicholas Friess. Elmer was an ornery, burly, hard-working, and resourceful man who could "MacGyver" anything that needed a good fixin'. And although he didn't have a Ph.D., he could miraculously cure a plethora of ailments with just a splash of Clorox. This overall-wearing enigma was the rough and tumbled type…an unapologetic straight-shooter who didn't mince words. Elmer's talents were too numerous to count, but one that stands out above the rest was the way his calloused, banged-up hands could wield a cast-iron pan better than any modern-day, Food Network wannabe. He was, and always will be, the undisputed king of pan-fried chicken. Also, worth noting was Elmer's undying love-affair with gardening. Instead of blood, soil and fertilizer pumped through Elmer's veins. Each year, with the help of his copper-wrapped green thumb, he would grow a high-yielding, lush garden that was the envy of the neighborhood.

And let's not forget his family and friends. Elmer was a loving and giving husband, a tough-loving father, a generous and noble grandfather and great-grandfather a helpful and thoughtful brother and son. Elmer never missed the opportunity to spoil his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially at Christmastime. But more than this, Elmer was dearly loved by all of his family and friends and will be deeply missed by all of us as we learn to live without him in the days and years to come.

Elmer's story began on January 7, 1925, in Ransom, Kansas. He was the 4th of 19 children, 11 boys, and 8 girls, born to Mathias Friess and Mayme (Roths) Friess. When Elmer was young, he and his siblings worked tirelessly on the family farm where they raised livestock and grew a variety of crops to support their large, Catholic family. These early years spent with his family undoubtedly shaped the life of Elmer Friess.

Elmer was a strong, dapper young man. Once he reached adulthood, it was no surprise that after spending very little time on his own, he met the love of his life, Ella Mae Bolmer at the Flour Mill in Dodge City where they both worked. Elmer and Ella married on October 15, 1945, and added five children to their family: Larry, Ronald, Linda, Richard, and Joseph. They resided in a small love-filled home in Dodge City, Kansas where Elmer worked for Culligan Soft Water, Omo Plumbing and Heating, Stewart Plumbing and Heating, and The Right Co-op. Their children all attended Sacred Heart Catholic School.

In 1979, once most of their children were grown, Elmer and Ella decided to move to Easton, Pennsylvania, taking young Joseph with them so they could be closer to Ella's family. This decision weighed heavy on Elmer, but it was a sacrifice he lovingly made to ensure Ella's happiness.

While living in Easton, Pennsylvania Elmer made his living working for Magnesium Elektron Company located in Flemington, New Jersey while Joseph completed his education and Ella took care of the home. After Elmer's retirement, and eighteen years after moving to the East Coast, Elmer lost his dear Ella, who passed away on December 29, 1997. Elmer and Joseph remained living in Easton, where Joseph worked for UPS while providing selfless and dedicated care to his father as he aged.

In late summer of 2018, Elmer learned the heartbreaking news that he had lost his son, Ronald D. Friess, who passed on September 4, 2018, from his battle with cancer. Shortly thereafter, Elmer suffered a debilitating stroke. Due to complications from his stroke, Elmer and Joseph were unable to make the long journey to Kansas for Ronald's funeral which weighed heavily upon them. Joseph continued to be the sole-caregiver during this trying time. Joseph's unfailing love and steadfast attention for Elmer were truly remarkable.

Other loved ones who cleared the path to heaven for Elmer are his 6 brothers: Louis, Eugene, Cletus, Bernard, Warren and Donald; and 3 sisters: Laurene Marvin, Margorie Flax, and Anna Mae Ferguson.

Loved ones who will miss Elmer until they meet again are his 3 sons: Larry (Linda R.) of Spearville, Kansas; Richard (Brenda) of Bucklin, Kansas; and Joseph of Easton, Pennsylvania; his only daughter, Linda M. (Don) Meyers of Eudora, Kansas; and his daughter-in-law Linda D. (Ronald) Friess of Dodge City, Kansas. Elmer was the proud and doting grandfather to 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his immediate family, Elmer has 4 surviving brothers: Harold, Frederick, Daniel, and Maurice; and 5 surviving sisters: Sister Janice (Bernadette) Friess, Mary Frances Flax, Rosella McLain, Janice Hornung, and Cathy Ator.

Visitation for Elmer will be held from 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM Friday, at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City, Kansas. Rosary and vigil service will also be held at Ziegler Funeral Chapel at 7:00 PM, Friday. Funeral Mass will commence at 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 1, 2018, at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe,  Dodge City, with Fr. Robert Schremmer presiding. Interment to follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City, Kansas.

Elmer's spirit is finally free of his worn-out Earth-bound shell, and Heaven now has one incredible gardener to add to its army of angels. And although he didn't quite make it to 100, this is not where his story ends. The family asks that you help to keep Elmer's spirit alive inside each of us by sharing tall tales and memories of him at a luncheon to be held at The Knights of Columbus Hall immediately following the graveside service.