Hazel Joan Fries, age 94, passed away on July 10, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO. Joan was born on February 25, 1932, in Ash Grove, MO, to George Callaway and Susan Ola Golden Choate Alexander, joining a family that grew to include 11 children raised in a cozy two room cottage on Bunker Hill.

Joan’s humble beginnings gave little hint of the adventures to follow. After marrying at age 20, Joan left Ash Grove to travel the world as an Air Force wife. For more than two decades, she lived in England, Germany and many of the United States, raising her three children nearly single-handedly in foreign territory while coordinating too many moves to count and working outside the home when she could to help support the family.

Joan later married Robert Fries and enjoyed working as a highly respected hospital ward secretary in Tulsa, OK and Springfield, MO. She finished her long career as manager for many years of the Ash Grove Senior Citizens Housing complex in Ash Grove, MO, waiting until the young age of 82 to retire. Joan was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-Nana. She was a loyal friend and dearly loved by all who knew her. Hers was a very full life, which she lived with quiet dignity and deep faith.

Joan was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert, in 1989, along with her parents, nine of her siblings - William, Alda, Wynona, Dorsey, Glen, Georgia, Eva, Mary and June - and her son-in-law, Philip Anderson. She is survived by her loving children: Wayne Allen Richardson of Moreno Valley, CA, Debra Leigh Anderson of Fairfax, VA, and Paul Randall (Sherri) Richardson of O’Fallon, MO; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; brother John Alexander; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

The family will host visitation from 1pm - 2pm on Wednesday, July 15 2026 at Wilson – Griffin Funeral Home in Ash Grove, MO, with the funeral service to begin at 2pm. Interment will follow at Ash Grove Cemetery.