Melvin Ryba

Melvin was born August 14, 1925 near Lawton, ND the son of Frank and Mary (Kasal) Ryba, and grew up on the family farm. He married Mildred Rysavy on June 12, 1946 and they farmed near Lawton and Whitman. Melvin worked road construction for a number of years and then worked at the Whitman elevator and Ryba's Tavern in Whitman. Later he worked for SSR Pump. Melvin had an interest in horses and old machinery and enjoyed conversations of old time threshing. He also loved to play pinochle and whist and teaching his grandchildren card games. In later years, he enjoyed creating 3 dimensional art pictures.

Melvin is survived by his children, Gary (Gail) Ryba of Rochester, MN, Bonita Woods of St. Paul, MN, Yvonne (Steve) Anderson of Bismarck, ND, and Roddy Ryba of Fargo, ND; 6 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; brother, Duane Ryba of Whitman, ND; sisters, Margaret Haave of Edinburg, ND and Shirley Kyllonen of Lakota, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mildred; grandson Justin Ryba; sisters, Emma Pic, Lillian Rysavy, and Carol Helle; and infant brother Frank Ryba, Jr.

Funeral services will be Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Sarnia United Lutheran Church, Whitman, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior to services in the church. Interment will be in the East Sarnia Cemetery, Rural Whitman, ND. Memorials are preferred to Nelson County Health System - Care Center, Michigan Ambulance, or East Sarnia Cemetery.