Douglas L. Fries

Douglas L. Fries, 85, of West Salem and formerly of Tomah, WI, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the Mulder Health Care Center. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be dearly missed.
Doug was born on May 20, 1930 in Washington, IL and was raised by his grandparents, Fred and Lizzy Fries. Doug was milking cows by hand and delivering bottled milk produced on their farm at an early age. He married Mary Ann Aiello on December 30, 1950 at St. Joseph’s Church in Peoria, IL and they enjoyed almost 65 years together. Doug worked at Peoria Pack and Caterpillar in Peoria until 1960 when he purchased a dairy farm in Norwalk, WI. Doug also had his own business for 40 years selling silos and feeding equipment and he also had a clay manufacturing warehouse. He enjoyed working with his customers and made many friends and business associates all over the US and Canada. Doug loved farming and was a hard worker who took pride in his work. Doug also enjoyed travelling and hunting trips to Montana with his sons and grandsons. Doug and Mary Ann took many trips to visit family and friends and they loved their trips to Branson where they enjoyed many country shows. Doug loved country music and polkas.
He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, six children, Vincent of New Lisbon, Vickie of West Salem, Douglas A. (Mary) of Norwalk, Darren (Dixie) of Tomah, Jennie (Rich) Worman of West Salem, and Tony (Dodee) of Cashton, eleven grandchildren, Corey and Chris Williams, Nathan, Nicholas, Rachel, Matthew, Travis, Jessie and Ashley Fries, Crystal Fisher and Jackie Williams, five great-grandchildren, Timothy Calkins, Corey, Cameron, and Spencer Williams, and Brian Fisher. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents, and two brothers.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, August 28, 2015 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of La Crosse, 200 West Avenue So. A private family burial will take place at a later date.