FRIES

After a brief disagreement with gravity, Ronald Edward Fries of Winfield, Alberta, age 79 years, everybody’s favourite human (either to love or to hate) passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025, surrounded by a handful of those who loved him.

Ron was born on January 14, 1946, the youngest of five children born to Ralph and Lillian Fries.  He grew up in the Nanton, Alberta area and lived a life full of more stories than could be believed.  Ron attended school in Nanton and Rimbey.  At the behest of local law enforcement, Ron may or may not have left town to cool his heels in Kitimat, B.C. and other locations as a young man.  He eventually returned to Nanton where he would meet a young Hope Florence and begin his job with the Mosquito Creek School Division, building cabinetry and furniture for all the schools in the area.  Ron completed his journeyman carpentry apprenticeship at SAIT in 1979-80.

Because he couldn’t get any time off work to go hunting, but was allowed time off for a honeymoon – Ron and Hope were wed in November 1976.  Eventually they divorced in 1992, to the shock of nobody who knew them.  Looking for a fresh start of sorts, Ron followed Cupid’s arrow to Winfield in 1998 to live with Sue and her family.  They had no idea what they were in for.  In the years since, Ron lived a (relatively) quiet life; farming, hunting, drinking coffee with friends at the feed store, and doing whatever the hell he wanted.  He enjoyed many things.  Among those things were:  hunting, fishing, drinking, smoking, fist fights, playing cards, spending time outdoors, horseshoes, shooting, teasing his grandkids, and spending time with family on the farm.

Ron is lovingly remembered by his daughters Lynnette (Dave), Jody (Brett), Jackie (Michael); his overly-patient partner Sue and her family, Aaron (Heather), Trudy (Kelly), and Elisha (David); as well as grandchildren Hailey, Alex, Kaiden, Emmeline, Ethan, Austin, Jade, Rylie, Aubree, and Cohen.  He is also lovingly remembered by his brother Albert (Gail) Fries; and sister Carolyn Hoffarth; in addition to more nieces, nephews, cousins, kin and kindred than can fit within a reasonable character limit.  Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Loraine Gazdag, and brother Claire Fries.  Rusty could not be happier to have his favourite human by his side once again.

A gathering of family and friends in Celebration of Ron’s Life will be held at the Winfield Agriplex – Main Hall, 401 – 6 Street East, Winfield on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  A second gathering will take place at the Kozy Korner Seniors Centre, 2211 – 20 Street, Nanton on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider instead an option from the list below:

• Have a drink

• Play a game of crib or smear

• Build an irresponsibly high bonfire

• Eat too much of a meal and complain about it, then continue to eat a little bit more

• Pass gas, followed by one of the following phrases:  “There’s a kiss for you”, or “I think I heard a buck snort.”

Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page. Cremation Arrangements for the Late Ronald Edward Fries entrusted to the care of