Lawrence Robert Priess

Lawrence Robert Priess Larry Priess died Sunday evening of a short illness. He was 95 years old. Larry was born in Garrison, North Dakota in 1917. During the Great Depression, he secured a much needed job at the local lumber yard by agreeing to work without pay until he proved his worth. After two months, he was given a paying job. A year later, he accepted a transfer to a yard in Twin Falls, Idaho. Larry always said that Idaho was God's country. It was a place with beautiful mountains, agreeable winters and friendly people. After settling in Twin Falls, he met a native Idaho farm girl, Edna Marie Harris, and they married and moved into in a house on Jefferson Street. They lived in that house for ten years. Larry was promoted and became the Tri State Lumber Company manager in the small community of Kimberly. Edna and Larry moved to Kimberly and lived in a home on Center Street for the next eighteen years. Larry began working for Tri State Lumber and continued when the companies expanded and became Boise Payette Lumber, Bestway Builders, and Boise Cascade Lumber Products. He managed yards in Kimberly, Twin Falls, and Idaho Falls. After Edna's death in 1987, he reacquainted himself with a friend, Mildred Clark, who had also lost her spouse. After a brief courtship, they were married. Mildred and Larry lived in Idaho Falls for several years and then moved back to Twin Falls. Larry was preceded in death by his wife Edna, his brother William, and his sister Agnes. He leaves behind his wife Mildred and his daughter Lana Donnelly and four grandsons: Jack Donnelly of Boise, Idaho, Scott and Zuzanna Donnelly, Max and Kimberly Donnelly, and Lance and Lindsay Donnelly of Pennsylvania. He also leaves two great grandchildren: Logan Donnelly and Zoe Donnelly. Larry Priess was loved and respected by his family and friends. He will be missed. Visitation will be held for Larry, Thursday, April 4, 2013 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls and from 1:00-2:00 P.M. at the funeral home on Friday, April 5, 2013. Graveside services will be held on Friday, April 5, 2013 at 2:00 P.M., at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls, Idaho. Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Idaho Youth Ranch would be appreciated.