James Ryba

James F. Ryba, age 83, of rural Lankin, ND, passed away at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, due to a brain hemorrhage on Saturday, April 7, 2012 surrounded by his family. He was born October 19, 1928 to James and Mary (Polak) Ryba in Perth Township, western Walsh County, and lived on the farm until his death. He attended Lambert School 73 and graduated from the eighth grade there. He was in the U.S. Army from May 11, 1951 until May 21, 1953 and received a bronze star while in Korea. He farmed all his life and loved every minute of it. On June 19, 1957 he married JoAnn Kotaska at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Pisek. James was a hard worker and loyal friend to everyone. His laughter made other people laugh. He loved to hunt deer, duck, and geese, and ice fish in the winter months. He was in the garden either hoeing weeds or picking produce. He was always on the lawn mower cutting grass. He was a director on the Whitman Equity Elevator many years, and gun safety instructor for 2 years. He was on the WFLA Kosobud Lodge Cemetery Trust or Manager for many years. He was a WFLA member for 67 years. He was a lifelong member of Sarnia Farmers Union and enjoyed playing Polish Rummy.

Jim will be greatly missed by his wife, JoAnn; 3 daughters, Kathy (Larry) Brunell of North Attleboro, MA, Karen (Keith) Henningsgard of Grand Forks, ND, and Pam Ryba Varnson of Lakota, ND; 2 sons, Joseph (Darlene) Ryba of Lankin, ND and James Ryba Jr. of Baudette, MN; 2 granddaughters, Stacy (Matt) Brunell Yarnall of Cape Cod, MA and Megan Brunell (Fiancé Kyle Hammond) of North Attleboro, MA; 3 grandsons, Matt (Meghan) Brunell of Foxborough, MA, Joseph A. Ryba Jr. and fiancé Trista Rice and her daughter Presleigh of Thief River Falls, MN, and Daniel Ryba and special friend Briana Schlosser of Williston, ND; 2 great grandsons, Austin James Ryba of Thief River Falls, MN and Braydon Hammond of North Attleboro, MA; also surviving are 2 sisters, Alice Larson of Arlington, VA and Agnes Soto of Mission Viejo, CA; 1 brother, Charles (Norma) Ryba of Lakota, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Carl Larson; and nephews, Gary and Carl Allan Larson.

The Funeral Mass will be held at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Bechyne, rural Lankin, ND, on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. The Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Samuel Ezeibekwe. Interment will be in the WFLA Kosobud Cemetery. The casketbearers will be Matthew Brunell, Daniel Ryba, Joseph Ryba Jr., Mike Ryba, Ralph Restadius, and Jim Larson. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Wednesday, beginning at 1:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the Church on Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials could be given to the WFLA Kosobud Cemetery, Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery, or the Heritage Hall Building Fund.