RYE, Thomas "Claire" 1916-1999

RYE

Posted By: K. Kittleson
Date: 2/12/2011 at 23:03:59

THOMAS 'CLAIRE' RYE

HANLONTOWN - Thomas 'Claire' Rye, 83, of rural Hanlontown, died Saturday (Oct. 2, 1999) at his home.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown with Rev. David Werges officiating. Burial will be in Brush Point Cemetery, Hanlontown.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E. Spring St., Manly, and one hour prior to service time Wednesday at the church.

The family of Thomas "Claire" Rye has requested that memorial contributions be made to Grace Lutheran Church Roof Fund or to Hospice of North Iowa in his memory.

Thomas "Claire" Rye was born on Sept. 2, 1916, in Hanlontown in Worth County, the son of Thomas and Christena (Trustem) Rye. He was baptized and reaffirmed the faith of his baptism through confirmation at the Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown. He received his education in the Hanlontown school system, graduating from Hanlontown High School in 1933.

After completing his schooling, he began farming in the Hanlontown area. He was united in marriage to Viola Eilertson on June 9, 1946, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Kiester, Minn. After their marriage they continued to farm in the Hanlontown area where he farmed all of his life.

He enjoyed farming, traveling, reading, Jumble Puzzles in the paper, and visiting with his many friends, but his great love and enjoyment was his church, family and grandchildren. Claire was also a very generous person to his family and community. His friends were "glad to have known him." Claire was blessed with the qualities he received from both of his parents. From his father he received industriousness and from his mother, gentleness and patience.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Hanlontown and was a former member of the church council and past president, former member of the Hanlontown Elevator Board and a member of the Farm Bureau.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Viola Rye, of Hanlontown; three children, Clayton Rye and his wife, Suzzanne, of Hanlontown, Carol Rye of Mason City, and Julie Dostal and her husband, Ray, of Bloomington, Ill.; six grandchildren, Sarah Rye of St. Paul, Minn., Amy Rye of Mason City, Richard Rye of Hanlontown, Andrew Olson of Mason City, Jennifer Dostal of Washington, D.C., and Daniel Dostal of Normal, Ill.; a sister, June Ilg of Woodruff, Wis.; special friend, Robert "Butch" Niemi whom the family fondly refers to as another son; and other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and three sisters.

Bride Colonial Chapel - (515) 454-2242.

GLOBE GAZETTE