Gerald “Jerry/JR” Ries, age 73 of South St. Paul, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, March 23, 2026.

Gerald Lee, the son of Raymond and Donna (Benz) Ries, was born on May 21, 1952, in St. Paul. Following his education at Simley High School, Jerry was enlisted in the United States Army and later received an honorable discharge. Jerry began working at Ries-Skelly for a short while before his life-long career at Aggregate Industries where he was a longtime heavy equipment operator. All throughout his life, Jerry was an avid golfer, loved to fish, and to garden, often sharing his produce with many family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his sister, Michele.

Jerry is survived by his siblings, Barb (Jeff) Moore, Mike Ries, Gene Ries, Cathie Ries, and Daveen (Steve) Woodford; nieces and nephews, Cheri (Paul) Werner, Derek (Amy) Running, Jamie (Tom) Weber, Joel (Meghan) Moore, Alicia (Paul) Anderson, Mariah Ries, Natasha Caporusso, and David (Stephanie) Ries; and by many aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces and nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Roberts Funeral & Cremation Chapel, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights and will also be livestreamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a26036335927611. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., and to a reception following the graveside service, all at the funeral home on Tuesday.