Reynold Tony Griess

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 29, 2011 at Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids, MN with Reverends Lee Kantonen and Bob Light officiating.VISITATION : 5-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.INTERMENT : Greenwood Cemetery, Park Rapids, MNSURVIVORS : His four sons: Gary (Brenda) Griess of Olympia, WA, Sheldon (Helen) Griess of Park Rapids, Randy (Lori) Griess of Park Rapids and Kevin (Terri) Griess of Montevideo, MN; former daughter-in-law, Ellie Hensel of Park Rapids; his 15 much loved grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. REYNOLD A. "Tony" GRIESSMay 20, 1922 " April 20, 2011 Reynold August "Tony" Griess, age 88, a long time resident of Park Rapids, MN, peacefully passed into eternity on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at St Josephs Area Hospital in Park Rapids, MN. Tony was born on the home farm in little Sauk Township of Todd County, MN to Andrew and Edyth (Eichenberger) Griess on May 20th 1922. It was in this same area that he attended the Todd County District 91 Country School near his home and attended the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, MN; completing his 12th grade with emphasis in metal and welding. He grew into manhood helping on his father"s farm. He joined the United States Army in 1942 and was part of the Army Air Corps 865th Bomb Squad based on the Palau Islands near the Phillipines where he served his country as an airplane mechanic in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. His mission was to accompany the flight crews on bombing raids and then repair the planes that had gotten shot up so that they could return safely as soon as possible. His mechanical capabilities acquired much acclaim for retrofitting air masks into the B-24 Bombers so that pilots could fly at much higher altitudes to avoid detection - saving lives and aircraft. After the war, Tony received his honorable discharge and returned to Minnesota where he farmed in Parnell Township near Graceville, MN. On February 12, 1944, Tony was united in marriage to Beth Lorraine Kottke at the Siloah Lutheran Church in Parnell Township. He farmed until contracting polio in 1949 and being told he would never walk again. With a determined mind and a disciplined spirit, Tony over came his handicap. He moved to Oregon with his family where he ran a metal fabrication shop that specialized in building van bodies and camper toppers. In 1952, his love for farming caused them to return to Minnesota where Tony went to work as an inseminator for Minnesota Valley Breeders in Browns Valley and Sleepy Eye, MN. In 1956, they moved to Ortonville, MN where he worked in the Ford Garage for his father-in-law. Later he established and operated the Valu Variety Store in Ortonville. In 1960, Tony moved with his family to Detroit Lakes, MN where he worked for the Charles Olson and Son Company selling heavy duty truck equipment and school buses. In 1965, they moved to Brainerd where he continued selling truck equipment. The Griess family moved to Park Rapids, MN in 1972 and in 1974, Tony went to work for Martin"s Sports Afloat, formerly Jack"s Outboard. Tony established Pier 34 Marine in 1976 which he operated with his sons: Randy and Kevin. In 1980 Tony began working as a caretaker, grounds and maintenance supervisor in a career that spanned most of the rest of his life. Tony endured the heartache of Beth"s death in 2000. Tony loved the outdoors especially when he could be out hunting, fishing, waterskiing, snowskiing and snowmobiling. When his family was young, Tony especially enjoyed the weekends they spent at their cabin on Round Lake which was always a favorite gathering spot for all the neighbor kids. Tony was an active member of Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids; where his carpentry skills were put to good use at the church and Northern Pines Camp. For many years his skilled handiwork at landscaping and raising beautiful flowers was appreciated by many. He will be lovingly remembered by his four sons: Gary (Brenda) Griess of Olympia, WA, Sheldon (Helen) Griess of Park Rapids, Randy (Lori) Griess of Park Rapids and Kevin (Terri) Griess of Montevideo, MN; former daughter-in-law, Ellie Hensel of Park Rapids; his 15 much loved grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his precious wife, Beth; his brother, Leland and sister, Louise. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. at Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids, MN with Reverends Lee Kantonen and Bob Light officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening April 28, 2011 from 5-8:00 P.M. at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home and for one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Active casketbearers will be his grandchildren. Military honors will be provided by Star of the North Marine Corps League. Interment will be made at Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, MN. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to be given in Tony"s name to St. Josephs Hospice.