Joan M. Ries (Kasell) quietly passed away on February 27th, 2026 at the age of 81, and she is now free of pain.

She was born on 11/11/44 to her parents David & Florence Kasell (Lillestrand) and grew up and lived at various towns around the Twin City area.

At a young age and early adulthood, she was a very athletic competitor. She preferred being outdoors, playing neighborhood games, hunting for treasures and romping through the barn – where she was told not to go.

As she grew older, she discovered her deep love and talent for drawing, painting pictures and sewing.

I her later years, she lived a simple life, her body no longer allowing her what she wanted to do.

She enjoyed conversations and witty quips with visits from family, friends and the loving and compassionate care she was given by staff at Park View Care Center in Buffalo, MN. Many would love to go to her room just to hear something she would say to just to make them laugh.

She is survived by her loving sister Darlene Pagel, daughter Lori (Bill) Hanson, son Scott Ries and son Eric (Terese) Ries, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, niece and nephew and a very dear friend of many years – Barb.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father and brother in-law Ed Pagel.

A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.