Justin Isadore Friess

Friess, Justin Isadore 80, of West Des Moines, IA, passed away Friday, October 13, 2017, at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines. A rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. with family receiving visitors after the rosary at 9:45 a.m. with the funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 16, 2017, all at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A luncheon will follow at the parish center. Justin Friess was born September 23, 1937 in St. Mark, KS, as one of 10 children to Gudula and John Friess. The family moved to Garden Plain when he was in third grade. He graduated from Garden Plain High School in 1956 and married Mary Jean Sommerhauser on November 22, 1958. They raised their family in Garden Plain where he worked for Cargill in Wichita. In 1972, the family moved to West Des Moines to further Justin's eventual 39-year career with Cargill. This was to the relief of the rival high schools: In one football game, he scored on offense, defense and special teams, totaling six touchdowns with two more called back on penalties. Justin worked as an engineer despite only having an honorary degree from GPU. He had a photographic memory and could recite his siblings, children and grandchildren in order by birth date in just seconds. He enjoyed operating a hobby farm in Winterset, making wine and golfing, including his much-regaled hole-in-one at scenic Cherry Oaks in Cheney, KS. He and Jeannie enjoyed traveling with and to visit their siblings, children and grandchildren. One of his greatest pleasures was attending his children's and grandchildren's sporting events and discussing their athletic prowess in great detail. Justin is survived by his loving wife, Jeannie; daughter, Michelle McKelvogue (Calvin); sons, Doug (Jennifer Marsik), Gary (Ciel) and Keith (Paige); 11 grandchildren, Brooke McKelvogue, Courtney Foster (Kevin), Jamye Friess, Dani Wilson (Josh), Bobbi Friess, Joey Friess, Randi Friess, Alex Friess, Nick Friess, Cooper Friess and Carlie Friess; and three great-grandchildren, Brooks Wilson, Kensi Friess and Asher Foster. He is preceded in death by his parents, and six siblings. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be directed to hospice and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.