Earl Stanley RYGH

RYGH, GUNVORDAHL, WICKS, BUNTENBACH, KNIGHT, DE LA ROCHE, MITCHELL, OLSON, KERAUS, PHILLIPS, ZERAN, SHEETS, CRAWFORD

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/10/2010 at 16:39:19

The Garner Leader & Signal -- Iowa
April 21, 2004

Earl S. Rygh, of Garner, died on Sunday, April 11, 2004, at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City. He was 75. In accordance with his wishes, Earl's life will be celebrated at a gathering for family and friends tentatively set for Saturday, June 12 in Garner. Further details will appear in the newspaper as they are confirmed. There will be no visitation. The Cataldo Funeral Home, Garner is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the Garner Public Library or the Hancock County 4-H.

Earl Stanley Rygh, was born on the family farm near Lake Mills, on August 28, 1928. He was the third child of Selmer and Elizabeth (Gunvordahl) Rygh. Earl developed a strong work ethic at an early age, and helped on the family farm. He was baptized and confirmed at the Lime Creek Lutheran Church in Emmons, Minnesota. He graduated from the Emmons High School in 1946. When he had time, he enjoyed going with friends to the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. Earl began working as part of Buntenbach and Conroy Livestock Sales in 1948. He married Lorraine (Buntenbach) Wicks on December 26, 1949, at the Buntenbach family home in Klemme. Earl and Larry moved to Garner and lived at 825 Division Street. Their daughter, Leslie was born on August 14, 1951. In 1951, Earl bought land in Ell Township and drained it to farm. Earl and Larry planned a new home at 625 W. 8th St. and Earl did much of the construction himself. Lorraine Rygh died in July of 1956.

On April 9, 1960, he married Sandra Knight at the Methodist Church in Rockford. Their son, Christopher was born on January 5, 1969. Earl was very hardworking, versatile and resourceful, wanting to be known for planting the straightest corn rows and having the cleanest ditch banks. Earl took great pride in his knowledge of and skill in the beef cattle business. He looked forward to participating as ring man and auctioneer at the annual livestock auction at the Hancock County Junior Fair. He was proud to have been willing and able to offer support to his daughter, son and grandchildren for formal education and homes. Among Earl's fondest memories were visiting the San Francisco Zoo, viewing the Circus Wagon Parade in Milwaukee and reminiscing with friends at his 60th birthday party. He was a born storyteller. Earl had brief stays at the Concord Care Center and the Westview Care Center. Earl was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and served as a Trustee. For some years, he was a member of the Garner Rotary Club.

He is survived by his daughter, Leslie Rygh and husband, Oscar de la Roche of Napa Valley, California; his son, Christopher Rygh and wife, Marybeth of Cedar Falls; four grandchildren, Karl de la Roche, Marco de la Roche, Katherine Rygh and Molly Rygh. Also surviving are a brother, Paul Rygh and wife, Marcia Mitchell Rygh; a sister, Barbara Rygh Crawford; a brother-in-law, Vincent Olson; a sister-in-law, Elaine Buntenbach Keraus of Garner; a brother-in-law, E. D. "Red" Buntenbach and wife, Patricia Phillips Buntenbach of Garner; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ted and Margaret Knight Zeran; his loving niece, Claudia Olson Sheets; and his caregiver, Julie Best Campbell. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; his parents; his sister, Margaret Rygh Olson; and brothers-in-law, Eugene Crawford and Verle "Bub" Keraus.