Kristen Hope Ries

Kristen Hope Ries lost her long battle with mental illness and died on July 31st, 2020.  We pray she has found the peace that was unattainable for her here on earth and is at rest in her mother’s loving arms.

Kristen was born September 10th, 1988 in Merced, CA.  She lived in many different locations throughout her life including Germany, Nebraska, California, Virginia, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, and finally Colorado.  Kristen graduated from Lake Braddock High School in 2006 where she was very active in the theatre program.  She attended college courses at Northern Virginia Community College, George Mason University, and the University of Arizona.  Kristen was drawn to help children with disabilities, which lead her to become a Behavioral Therapist for children with autism.  She also was a nanny for multiple children throughout her life.

Kristen will be remembered for the many things she loved in life, including all things Harry Potter (Ravenclaw for life!), theater lighting design, elephants, and Build-A-Bears.

Kristen’s memories will be carried on by her father, Vincent Ries; sisters, Nicole McCormick and Colleen Ries; brothers, Blaine and Drew Ries; her grandmother, Mary Ries; and her grandfather, Tony Smerker.  She is preceded in death by her mother, Sharron Ries; her grandfather, Roman Ries; and her grandparents, Bernice and Robert Boucher.

A private service will be held at St Michaels Parish in Conrad on August 29th, at 2pm.  Due to COVID restrictions, only family members are invited to attend the service in the church, everyone else is invited to watch the ZOOM meeting. Please call the funeral home for details.  A public graveside will follow at Hillside Cemetery.