Rygh, Eleanor (1925-2018)

RYGH, REISEM, HALVORSON, NALL, NELSON, OLSON, WALKER, ANDRUSYK, SCHAA, NESS

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/23/2018 at 18:44:20

Eleanor Rygh
June 03, 1925 - February 03, 2018

Eleanor Rygh, age 92, of Lake Mills, died at her home on Saturday, February 3, 2018.

Eleanor (Reisem) Rygh was born on June 3, 1925, in Silverton, Oregon, to Rev. E. L. and Olga (Halvorson) Reisem. Eleanor received most of her schooling in North Dakota where her father was called to serve as minister. After her father accepted his next call in Iowa, she finished her high school years in Lake Mills, graduating in 1943 as salutatorian.

Known for her skills as a proofreader, Eleanor worked for the Graphic Publishing Company in high school and for a few years afterwards as well. In addition, she made lifelong friendships with some of her co-workers.

Having a father as a pastor, she learned to play the piano at a young age. gifted she had the ability to play songs simply after listening to them. Moreover, while playing at a funeral service, she met her future husband, James B. Rygh. After their wedding on May 10, 1946, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, they made their home in St. Louis, Missouri, while James finished mortuary school. They moved their family a few times throughout North Iowa, finally settling back in Lake Mills in 1949. A devoted wife and mother, and a very proud grandma, Eleanor took pride in knowing that all of her grandchildren had a college education and good jobs.

An active member at Salem Lutheran Church, Eleanor taught Tuesday school and Sunday school, provided music for WELCA and occasionally for Saturday night services, and served as the president of her circle. She kept busy reading, playing board games, and watching game shows on TV. Those who knew her knew better than to call her at 4:30 because they would be interrupting Jeopardy! A devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan, she loved watching basketball. She, also, spent time playing card games such as 500 and May I? on a regular basis with a group of dear friends in Albert Lea.

She will be missed by her children: Diane (David) Nall, of Corwith, Jim (Deb) Rygh, of Lake Mills, and Kathleen (Steven) Nelson, of Lake Mills; a daughter-in-law, Amy (Roger) Olson of Lake Mills; ten grandchildren: Molly (Luke) Andrusyk; Mark (Kristen) and Wade Nall; Derek (Amanda) and Tony (Ashley) Nelson; Katie and Jack Olson; David and Michael Rygh; and Kayla (Jeremy) Walker; ten great-grandchildren: Matthew and Marion Nall; Becca, Brooklyn, Brynn, Nora, and Tate Nelson; and Natalie, Levi, and Blake Walker; a brother, Richard O. Reisem, of Rochester, New York; and a brother-in-law, Keith Schaa, of Homosassa, Florida; as well as by many extended relatives and beloved friends. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James, in 1980; her son, John, in 1993; and two sisters, Sharon Schaa and Phyllis Ness; and brother-in-law Allen Ness.

Funeral services will be held at 9:00 AM on Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills with Pastor Joel L. Guttormson officiating. Burial will follow in Salem Memorial Cemetery, rural Lake Mills. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 East Main Street, Lake Mills, and will continue during the hour before the service at the church on Thursday.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, Iowa, 2017.

Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen