Beverly Riess BEVERLY RIESS (1945-2016) West Des Moines -- Beverly Ann Riess, 70, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn,, on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines followed by a lunch reception and gathering of family and friends. Beverly was born Dec. 26, 1945, in Sheldon, Iowa, to Marshall and Maureen (Wilcoxon) Wynn. Growing up in Iowa, Beverly happily spent her teenage years in Monticello. With her winning smile and vibrant spirit she was a natural leader in community and school activities, including leading the band with her flaming baton. Her adventurous spirit led her to the University of Northern Colorado where she earned her undergraduate degree in education. She taught in Nevada before returning to Iowa to teach second-grade at Malcolm Price Laboratory School and earned her Master’s Degree in education at the University of Northern Iowa. Bev married the love of her life Bill Riess in 1978. Soon after, they moved to the Boston area where they made lifelong friends. In 1991 they moved back to Des Moines and Bev returned to her greatest passion, education. She was selected as the Student Teaching Coordinator for UNI where she placed student teachers in Des Moines classrooms. Educators throughout Iowa will fondly remember their wise, caring and supportive mentor. She lent her many gifts to UNI, notably her work with the Alumni Association and leading a campaign for the University of Northern Iowa Foundation. In 2013 she received the distinguished Alumni Service Award from UNI. Bev and Bill loved spending their summers at 10 Mile Lake in Minnesota and winters at Trilogy in Gilbert, Ariz., surrounded by family and friends. The consummate hostess, Bev gathered her neighbors and friends for conversation, connections and laughter. With boundless energy and impeccable style, she brought out the best in every organization, student teacher, group and friendship that she touched. Above all, Bev loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren, Luke and Allie. Beverly is survived by her husband, Bill Riess, and daughter, Jennifer (Tim) Lundberg; grandchildren Luke and Allie of Des Moines; sisters, Marlene Behn of Cedar Falls and Colleen Bowers of Mason City; and three generations of nieces and nephews. And she loved them all. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents; brothers-in-law, Parke Behn and Bud Bowers; and nephew, Brock Behn. Heaven gained the most beautiful angel today.
