Ries, Rev. Merle MiltonRev. Merle Milton Ries, age 78, of Rice Lake, WI passed away peacefully Saturday, January 21, 2017 at White Pines Assisted Living in Blaine, MN.He was born on August 14, 1938 the son of Alice and Milton Ries of Pittsburgh, PA.Merle was raised in Pittsburgh and graduated from Baldwin Township High School in 1956. He received his undergraduate degree at Capital College in Columbus, OH. He then earned his Masters Degree in Divinity from the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary also in Columbus, OH.On June 18, 1960, Merle married Cleo Simendinger. After Merle completed Seminary, they moved to Wisconsin where Merle served the Lord as an ELCA Lutheran Minister at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour; Mt. Morris Holden Lutheran Church/West Holden Lutheran Church in Wautoma; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Ashland; First American Lutheran Church in Oconto; and Calgary Lutheran Church in Merrill.Outside of church, Merle enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, trapshooting, archery or just about anything that would take him into the great outdoors.Merle is survived by his son, Mark (Judy) Ries of Andover, MN; a daughter, Mary Ries of Minneapolis, MN; two grandchildren, Mitchell and Kelly Ries. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cleo Ries; his parents, Milton and Alice Ries; and a brother, Robert Ries.Memorial Services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood, WI, with Rev. Joan Scheffler officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 - 11 AM Saturday at the Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Appleyard's Home for Funerals, 19 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, WI.In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Trinity Lutheran Church, 500 E. Chetac Ave., Birchwood, WI 54817.