Leroy Friess

Leroy B. Friess Leroy Bernard Friess of Independence, Kansas, died Thursday, September 22, 2005, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Center in Wichita, Kansas. He was 75. The funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, September 26, 2005, at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Independence, Kansas, under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Chapel of Neodesha. Father Stephen Mahn Thapwa will officiate. The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 2005, at St. Andrews Catholic Church. Mr. Friess will lie in repose at Penwell Gabel Webb and Rodrick Chapel in Independence, KS. Friends may view and register on Saturday from 1-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. The Knights of Columbus will pray the rosary Sunday at 4 p.m. at Penwell Gabel Webb and Rodrick Chapel. Interment will be in the Neodesha Catholic Cemetery. The son of Joseph and Martha Bergkamp Friess, he was born January 1, 1930, in Colwich, Kansas. He served in the US Army infantry during the Korean Conflict and received the Purple Heart medal. On March 29, 1972, he was united in marriage to Carol Sue Katzer Downey in Miami, Oklahoma. She survives at the home. Mr. Friess and his family began a farm and ranching operation in the countryside east of Neodesha. He retired from farming a few years ago and began an independent trucking operation. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Cherryvale and was a 3rd Degree member of Council No. 8893 Knights of Columbus in Cherryvale. In addition to his wife, he is survived by their daughter, Carmela Brand of Colwich, KS; two step-sons, Mike Downey of Neodesha, KS, and Bill Downey of Denver, CO; two step-daughters, Julie Wittum and Janel Downey of Neodesha, KS; and from a previous marriage one son, J.D. Friess of Neodesha, KS; two daughters, Chris Bealmear of Dallas, TX, and Susan Renteria of Wichita, KS; two brothers and five sisters; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Barbara, and one grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made to Leroys lifelong friend, Father Cletus Ternes, Philippine Missionary, the St. Ignatius Catholic Church Building Fund or the donors choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.penwellgabel.com.