John J. Reiss, Jr., 75, Killdeer, died January 23, 2017 in Houston Texas. He was laid to rest at the Killdeer Cemetery, Killdeer.
John was born November 12, 1941 in Dunn Center to John J. and Barbara (Grinsteiner) Reiss Sr. He was raised and educated in Dunn Center. As a young man he lived in Sioux Falls, S.D. where he installed auto glass during the day and worked as a chef in the evenings.
He was married to Lynette Phillips on February 10, 1964 in Couer d’Alene, Idaho. Following their marriage he worked for a few a farm and ranch operations throughout southwest N.D. and northwest S.D. John went into business for himself in Halliday for a short time before moving to Killdeer, where he raised his family and spent the last 45 years. He farmed, ranched and worked on an oil drilling rig, where he started at the bottom and worked his way up to a driller position.
John and his family also spent several years doing custom farm work. Another entrepreneur accomplishment was JR Industries to include a truck stop, restaurant and rv park. He was one of the founders of the N.D. Gelbvieh Assoc., and spent many years promoting and raising registered cattle.
He was a member of the NRA, Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mt. Elk Foundation, Travel N.D. and AQHA. His interests over the years included hunting, trapping, boating, fishing, horseback riding, snowmobile racing and raising exotic animals. He liked to visit the casino on occasion and enjoyed a good western movie. He was a self taught musician for his family only. He played the five string and steel guitar, harmonica, and the fiddle.
He is survived by his children; Lolita (Jeff) Long, Anita Woodbury, Jeannette Reiss, Lawanna (Brian) Lafferty and John (Sara) Reiss III, 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; six sisters; Ann, Mary, Margaret, Agnes, Eleanor and Rosy; two brothers, Frank and Jerry. John is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; two sisters; six brothers; and one grandchild.
