Duane D. Ryba

Duane D. Ryba, age 87, resident of Devils Lake, ND, formerly of Whitman, ND, died Saturday, October 30, 2021 at CHI St. Alexius Health in Devils Lake.

Duane Dennis Ryba was born at the family farm on April 24, 1934, the son of Frank and Mary (Kasal) Ryba.  He attended the Sauter School and the Lankin School, before working on the family farm.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 18, 1957 and served in Germany.  He was honorably discharged on May 18, 1959.  Duane married Delores Svercl on June 27, 1960 at Whitman, ND.  They lived on a farm until moving into Whitman in 1967.  In 1965 Duane began working for the Soo Line Railroad, which eventually became CP Rail, from whom Duane retired in 1997.  He was a member of the W.L. Cowper American Legion Post #238 of Michigan and a long-time member of Sarnia United Lutheran Church of Whitman.  He was a very active man and enjoyed spending time fishing and hunting.

Duane will be deeply missed by his wife of 61 years, Delores Ryba of Devils Lake, ND; 4 children, Debbie Brossart of Minot, ND, Denise (Tim) Schroeter of Bottineau, ND, Darlene (Wayne) Christianson of Lankin, ND, and Darren (JoAnn) Ryba of Devils Lake, ND; 5 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Franklin Ryba; 5 sisters, Emma Pic, Carol Helle, Lillian Rysavy, Margaret Haave, and Shirley Kyllonen; and 2 brothers, Frank and Melvin.

The Memorial Service for Duane will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND, on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.  Interment will follow at the Pecka Cemetery, rural Lawton, ND.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

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