Doris A. Fries

Doris (Pretasky)Fries, 98, a life-long resident of La Crosse, passed away on Sunday, November 15, 2015. She was born on February 16, 1917 to John and Frances (Kaminski) Pretasky. She attended St. James Catholic School and graduated from Logan High School in 1934. She married Bill Fries in 1935, and he preceded her in death in January 1996. Doris and Bill had five children, Bonnie, Will, Mike, John and Mary.
Doris started a home catering business in 1950, delivering meals to Trane Company and La Crosse Rubber Mills as well as catering weddings. After catering, she began working as a real estate agent for Gerard Realty. After a 15 year career in real estate, she retired at the age of 70 to begin another 10 career of organizing and coordinating monthly bus trips to numerous casinos throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. During this time, she was also a volunteer at La Crosse Lutheran Hospital.
Doris was an avid bowler for many years on several leagues in La Crosse. Another love was swimming 5 days a week, which she did for 30 years until she reduced her swimming to 3 days a week at the age of 96.
Doris was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and aunt. She is survived by her children, Will (Karen) Fries, Mike (Mary Powers) Fries, John (Joan Lawton)Fries, Mary (Larry)Allen; grandchildren, Jim (Beth)Fries, Mark (Nicole) Fries, Kathy (Jeff)Holwell, Rob Fries, Katie (Matt) Bailey, Kevin (Kendra) Allen, Karen Wheeler, Jason Fries, Linda (Rob) Ugaste, Tom Whipple, Michelle (Kevin) Graham; great-grandchildren, Allison, Austin, Sophia, Rachel, Emma, Colton, Kenley, Theo, John, Roz, Lexi, John, Josh, Christie, Chris, Brandon, DJ and Joey and 3 great-great grandchildren, Kasen, Hunter and Charlotte. She is also survived by a special niece, Kay (Ron)Masak and special nephews Jack (Chris) Knebes and Bud (Barb) Pretasky. Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Fries, daughter, Bonnie Anderson, daughters-in-law, Micki Fries, Jean Fries and Roz Fries.
A Mass Of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at St. James The Less Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Visitation for family and friends will be held at the church Thursday morning from 9:30 am until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used in Doris’ memory.