Ronald Lies

Ronald Eugene Lies passed away at age 74 on January 16, 2023 at Collier Hospice in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He was born in Wichita, Kansas on November 5,1948 at St. Francis Hospital, the second of five children born to Albert & Mary Ann (Steichen) Lies. He attended St. Patrick Grade School, Notre Dame High School (Bishop Carroll) and Sacred Heart College (Kansas Newman University), graduating in May of 1970.

Ron married Mary Clara Bittel on June 10, 1972 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, Kansas, and they moved to Denver, Colorado where Ron worked 15 years at Mercy Medical Center followed by 10 years at Centura Health. He then changed careers, spending the next 8 years as a preschool teacher for Head Start. During that period he and Mary honored a Lies family tradition by being Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus for the Lakewood Head Start Program and Westland Meridian Retirement Community.

Ron began his lifelong passion for Sherlock Holmes novels in grade school. Since the 1970s he has been a member of The Sherlock Holmes Society of Colorado and Dr. Watson’s Neglected Patients, and helped edit A Study Guide to Sherlock Holmes written by his friend William S. Dorn. He also corresponded with numerous organizations and fans of Sherlock Holmes in Great Britain, Japan, India, Australia, and across the United States, and wrote articles for several different Sherlock Holmes groups. He was also a lifelong (and long- suffering until their 2016 World Series victory) Chicago Cubs fan, and the games were regularly heard on his back porch radio throughout the summer. Ron was also interested in jigsaw puzzles, United States history (especially The Civil War and Abraham Lincoln), World War II, and the US presidents. He had a tremendous curiosity and intellect.

Ron and Mary loved to travel. Their first big trip was to Disneyland, and they visited family in Kansas often. Many trips included Western and Midwest US states, and they rode the train to the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs several times. Ron even hiked to and crossed the Continental Divide!

Ron required a wheelchair for the last years of his life. Despite that, he used a mobility scooter to walk his dog and worked hard to keep engaged in life around him. He was a gentle, compassionate, caring person and will be missed by all his friends and family.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Mary Ann Lies. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Mary, his brothers Norm (Nicki) Lies of Scottsdale, Arizona and Alan (Robin) Lies, Wichita, Kansas, sisters Rita (Frank) Peterson, Wichita, Kansas, and Janet Benton-Moss, Wichita, Kansas. He is also survived by his dog Sweetie, and numerous nephews, nieces and extended family. Services at Horan & McConaty, 7577 W 80th Ave, Arvada CO on Friday, March 24, 2023 at 1:30pm with a reception to follow at the same location. Casual attire is encouraged. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Denver Lions Club Recycle for Sight (1373 Grant St, Denver, CO 80203), The Blue Bench (P.O. Box 18951, Denver, CO 80218), or Soul Dog Rescue (1245 Factory Circle, Ft. Lupton, CO 80621).

Good rest friend, soul mate and hero!