Mary “Darlene” Bries

Mary “Darlene” Bries, 83, of Dyersville passed away Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at MercyOne Hospital in Dubuque.
Visitation was Monday, Jan. 27, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville and before services on Tuesday.
Funeral services were Tuesday, Jan. 28, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, in Dyersville, conducted by Rev. Tyler Raymond and Rev. Chris Podhajsky.
Burial was in Holy Trinity Cemetery in Luxemburg.
Darlene was born on June 4, 1941, in Petersburg, daughter of Raymond and Veronica (Nurre) Kruse. She was the middle child of four children. She graduated from the eighth grade Petersburg School. Darlene was a hired girl starting at 14 years old for many families in the area, and then worked at Ertl Toy Company.
She married James C. Bries on Sept. 13, 1960, at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, in Petersburg. They began farming near Luxemburg in 1963 and farmed until 2011 when they moved to Dyersville.
She enjoyed interacting with others, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were her pride and joy, especially the time spent together on the farm. Darlene enjoyed quilting, playing euchre and marbles with family and friends. She was a great cook and always took pride in a clean home. Her warm spirit and unwavering love touched countless lives, making her “Grandma Bries” to many.
Survivors include her children, Cathy (Karl) Kramer of Dyersville, Connie (Neal) Kluesner of Bankston, Chuck (Christina) Bries of Marion, Cindy (Mark “Chuck”) Kramer of Epworth; grandchildren, Jayme (Stephanie) Kramer, Nicole (Mike) Seipp, Kyle (Marissa) Kramer, Jesse Kluesner, Joshua (Kellie) Kluesner, Jordan (Sarah) Kluesner, Zachary Hart, Samuel (Kayla) Bries, Charlie Bries, Cody Gardner, Isabella (Matthew) Mattick; great-grandchildren, Ella and Emma Kramer, Gabrielle and Christian Seipp, Delaney and Parker Kramer, Chelsea Bussan, Aubrey and Jocelyn Kluesner, Hayden, Oaklynn, and Quinn Kluesner; brother, Larry (Julie) Kruse; in-laws, Betty Kruse, Leroy (Verna) Bries, Virgil (Janice) Bries, Michael (Marita) Bries, Ronald (Lee) Bries, Harold (Lois) Bries, Gerald (Karen) Bries, Arnold Jr. (Joyce) Bries, Thelma (David) Oberbroeckling, Carol (John) Hartmann, Lois Bries, Theresa Bries; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James in 2014; brothers, Alfred Kruse and Raymond Kruse Jr. in infancy; parents-in-law, Arnold Sr. and Regina (Ulbrich) Bries; in-laws, Imogene (Carl) Feldmann, JoAnn (Donald) Wille, Roger Bries, Kenneth Bries, Elmer Bries, Charlie (Mary) Bries, Anna Marie Bries in infancy; godson, Jayme Bries.
Information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.