Randi L. Ries

Randi L. Ries, age 38, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.  Memorial Services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown. Rev. Janet Miller will officiate.

Visitation will be prior to the service on Friday, July 31, 2026, starting at noon. 

Randi was born on April 6, 1988, in Lincoln, NE, to Randy and Rose (James) Gunn. Randi was raised in South Sioux City, NE, and graduated from high school there before continuing her education in South Dakota, where she graduated from Lake Area Technical College (LATC) in Watertown.

Randi was devoted to her loved ones. Her family and friends were always her number one priority, and she poured her heart into caring for them every day. On August 4, 2017, Randi married Michael Ries. Together with Mike, she was deeply committed to working toward their shared dream of starting their own business. Randi’s devotion was seen in the love she gave her six children: Braiden, Bariah, Brock, Alex, Hunter, and Parker.

Randi possessed a hands-on spirit and a loving, helpful nature. She found true delight in life’s simple pleasures: crafting, sewing, cooking, and tinkering in the garage. Whether organizing family gatherings or simply lending a hand wherever help was needed, she brought warmth to everything she did. Passionate about capturing life's moments, Randi was rarely seen without a camera—lovingly taking photos of anyone and anything she could to preserve the memories she held so dear.

Randi is survived by her husband Mike, of Watertown, SD; children Braiden Gunn, of Watertown, SD; Bariah Gunn, of Sioux City, NE; Brock Gunn-Ries, of Watertown, SD; Alex Ries, of Watertown, SD; Hunter Ries, of Watertown, SD; and Parker Ries, of Watertown, SD; and brothers Roger Gunn, of Sioux City, IA; Rick (Michelle) Gunn, of Sioux City, IA; and Richard Gunn, of Sioux City, IA.

Randi is preceded in death by her parents, Randy and Rose Gunn.

Arrangements are entrusted to Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel of Watertown and Hayti.

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