Donald L. Riess of Platteville, Wisconsin, passed away on August 5, 2016 after a 6 day hospital stay while traveling through Illinois. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 11, 2016 at the Lutheran Church of Peace, Platteville. Rev. Jeff Pedersen will officiate. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, or from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday, at the church. Memorials may be made to the Donald Riess Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Don was born to Julius and Mildred (Meyers) Riess on March 16, 1934, in Rochester, Minnesota, the oldest of 10 children. Don had many jobs throughout his youth. He delivered newspapers, worked for an engraver, was a theater usher, worked on his grandmother's farm for two summers, and served as a hospital orderly. He attended grade school and high school in Rochester. After graduation, he attended Rochester Junior College for two years, and then Winona State College in Winona, Minnesota. He completed his Master’s Degree at UW Madison in 1965.

Don taught Business Education for 38 years, all in the state of Wisconsin. After his first year of teaching, he was drafted into the army, served his country for two years, mostly in Germany. His teaching positions were located in Wisconsin at Trempealeau, Athens, Richland Center, and Platteville. Don met a fellow teacher while teaching in Athens, Donna Hampel of Elgin, Minnesota. They married on June 6, 1964; having celebrated 52 years of marriage less than 2 months prior to his death. Don and Donna were blessed with two daughters, Kim and Lisa. He adored his family and was very proud of them.

Don loved to hunt, play cards, and bowl. He was a Rotary Club member for 30 years and loved to sell refreshments at the Rotary Ball Stand. In his younger years, he taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, served on Church boards and other church committees. Don was a member of the Lutheran Church of Peace in Platteville for thirty-three years. 

Don is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, Kim (Kevin) Sagers of Neenah, WI, and his daughter, Lisa (Tim) Laughlin of Mason, Ohio; grandchildren: Kate and Luke Sagers, and Jake, John, Rachel, James, and A. J. Laughlin. Other survivors include three brothers, Duane and Larry Riess of Rochester, MN; and Jim Riess of Marlboro, MA; two sisters, Jan Rouillard and Julie Irish of Rochester MN; seven sisters-in law, Darlene Riess, Karen Riess, Char (Larry) Riess, all of Rochester, MN; Sandy Riess of the greater Chicago area; Betty Fuchs of Eyota, MN; Marge Rakoczy of Rockford, IL; and Shirley Reiter of Elgin, MN; five brothers-in-law, Chuck Rouillard, Ray Hampel, of Elgin, MN; John Fuchs, Gene Reiter, and Tom Rakoczy; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other friends and relatives. Don was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Jerry, Stan, Roger, and Darrell Riess; a sister-in-law, Barb Riess; grandparents; and many aunts and uncles.

The family would like to thank Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois and the local emergency paramedic services for their expert rapid, thorough, and tender loving care.