Kathryn Eileen Kelly Ries Feb. 26, 1949 — May 9, 2017

On Feb. 26, 1949, Thomas R. and Rosemary (Marron) Kelly welcomed their daughter, Kathryn Eileen, to the family. She attended Immaculate Conception Grade School in Wolf Point. At the age of 11, her family moved to Billings, where Kathryn attended Catholic school and graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School in 1967. As a non-traditional student, she earned her BS in accounting from Montana State University Billings in 1996.

Her first years of work were not particularly kind to her. It seemed wherever she worked was either incorporated into a larger company or her position relocated. Kathryn's last 14 years of employment were with Diversified Transfer and Storage, working with driver payroll. Approximately a year ago, she retired.

On May 9, 2017, Kathryn passed peacefully at St. Vincent Healthcare, with her loved ones at her side. Her family extends their deep gratitude to Dr. Frederick Kahn for his efforts to provide excellent care and serve as an advocate for Kathryn in her fight against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Thomas R. and Rosemary Kelly; and sister Jeanne Austin.

Kathryn is survived by her husband of 30 years, Jerome Ries; stepdaughters Jennifer (Paul McCarter) Ries and Katherine (Erik Arminger) Ries; and step-granddaughter Jillian; siblings Carol Holy, Thomas F. (Jo) Kelly, Terry (Rosemarie) Kelly, Peggy (Lew) Ward and Patrick Kelly; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

A vigil will be at 7 p.m. Monday ,May 15, Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. Funeral mass is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, at St. Pius X, 717 18th St. W. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to MSU Billings Foundation to support the Yellowstone Science and Allied Health Building.