Arlitha Marie Pries, daughter of John and Dorothy Rosenow Sell, was born November 1, 1920, in Buck Creek of rural Bremer County, Iowa. She was baptized November 21, 1920, by Rev. Adix and confirmed March 25, 1934, by Rev. H. Kuhlmann at St. John Lutheran Church, Buck Creek. Arlitha received her formal education at St. John Lutheran Parochial School at Buck Creek.

            On May 8, 1940, she was united in marriage with John H. Pries at St. John Lutheran Church, Buck Creek by Rev. G.S. Kuhlmann. The couple farmed in Bremer County for many years prior to retiring in 1980, when they moved into Sumner.

            A resident of the Tripoli Nursing Home since January of 2008, Arlitha’s death occurred there on Friday, March 4, 2011. She was 90 years old and had been a longtime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sumner. She loved being outdoors and gardening, baking homemade bread, going for walks, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

           Arlitha is survived by four children, Virgil (Lois) Pries of Waverly, Iowa; David (Julie) Pries of Sumner, Iowa; Elloha (Roger) Quigley of Sumner, Iowa; and Eldo (JaNan) Pries of Waverly, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Kristi (Tim) DeWaard; Scott (Judi) Pries; Tanya (Scott) Jensen; Jennifer Quigley and special friend, Mark; Darla (Tim) Gonnerman; Chris (Janessa) Pries; and Ben Pries; five great grandchildren, Luke DeWaard, Olivia DeWaard, Kelsey Pries, Marissa Pries, and Regan Pries; one sister, Lorna (Arnold) Schellhorn of Oran; and many nieces and nephews.

          She was preceded in death by her husband, John on November 24, 2007; her granddaughter, Dawn Pries; and her parents.

          Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. George Volkert officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 7, 2011, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Tuesday. Interment will follow at Lutheran Cemetery of Sumner Township. The family suggests that friends may, if they wish, make memorial donations to a charity of their choice.