Daisy May Fries

May 11, 1931 - March 20, 2010

BENKELMAN -- Daisy May "Dee" Fries, 78, died Saturday (March 20, 2010) at Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman.

She was born May 11, 1931, to Frank and Hattie (Bevans) Silvester at Champion and attended school near her home.

In August of 1952, Dee joined the Women's Army Corp. where she obtained her GED. She received her honorable discharge in 1954 and returned to Nebraska where she attended the McCook Beauty Academy. Upon receiving her license in cosmetology, Dee moved to Benkelman where she worked for Vada Nicholson, and then started her own beauty salon.

On Sept. 3, 1967, she married Walter A. Fries at Emmanuel U.B. Church in Imperial. They continued to live in Benkelman where Walter worked as a contractor, and Dee continued her work as a cosmetologist.

She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Benkelman, and was a member of the Board of Trustees. She was also a member of the United Methodist Women, P.E.O., the Rebekah Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, the Benkelman Women's Club, American Legion Auxiliary and was once treasurer of the Benkelman Library, and co-president of the Dundy County Historical Society. She was a member of the McCook Piecemaker Quilting Guild and served as a board member of the Dundy County Senior Center and spent countless hours doing volunteer work at both the Dundy County and Chase County Senior Centers.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Fries; her parents, Frank and Hattie Silvester; one sister, Helen; brothers, Lee, Glen, Frank, J.B., and infant brother, Jack; sisters-in-law, Oneta Silvester, Lillian Silvester, Clara Silvester; and brother-in-law, Jim McDougal.

Survivors include her sisters, Bea Bauerle and husband, Don of Champion, Bertha McDougal of Denver, Colo., Emma Enoch and husband, John of Kan.; brothers, Bill Silvester of Champion, Mark Silvester and wife, Lois of Schuyler; brother-in-law, John Pitts; sister-in-law, Leona Silvester; daughter-in-law, Phyllis and her sons, Mike, David, Greg and Bill; and a special friend, Shirley Mullanix.

Memorial service is Saturday, 10 a.m. (MDT), at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman with the Rev. Brian Fong officiating. Inurnment will follow services at the Benkelman Cemetery.

There will be no visitation or viewing.

Memorials may be given in her name to the American Cancer Society.

Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman is in charge of the arrangements