Raymond
Rybakowski, 73Middle River - Raymond Rybakowski, 73, died Friday, February 13, 1998 at his home in Como township of Marshall County.
Funeral services were held Monday, Feburary 16 at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church of Middle River with Reverend Arlan Lloyd officiating. Lois Peterson was the organist. Howard Hodne and Gary Hodne sang a duet. Casketbearers were Myles Erickson, Galen Erickson, Myles Smith, Steve Holm, Ronald Westman and Howard Hodne. Burial was at First Lutheran Cemetery in Spruce Valley township. The Green Funeral Home of Thief River Falls was in charge of the arrangements.
Raymond Florian Rybakowski was born on January 23, 1925 in Fairmont, the son of John and Valoria (Olander) Rybakowski-Fisher. When Raymond was a year old the family moved to Newfolden. When he was eight the family moved to Middle River where he attended rural schools, both near Newfolden and Middle River. He worked for his dad at the Fisher Foundry in Middle River and later moved to Chicago where he worked for the Armour Meat Company. He entered the United States Army on October 16, 1944 and was honorably discharged on October 26, 1946. Following his discharge he moved to Middle River where he farmed with his foster family, the Johnsons.
On March 29, 1954 he was united in marriage to Margaret Olson at Middle River. The couple farmed and he worked in his father's foundry. Raymond worked winters at the Northwest Angle, cutting wood and logging.
On September 14, 1968 Raymond married Gloria Westman at Thief River Falls. The couple has since lived in Como township of Marshall County. Raymond was employed by Witcher Construction Company as a union worker for local 580 in various places in northwestern Minnesota and North Dakota. He also continued to farm and raise cattle. He retired in 1979 due to health problems.
Raymond was a member of First Lutheran Church of Middle River, the VFW in Thief River Falls and the American Legion in Middle River.
He was an avid hunter and enjoyed trapping, fishing and spending time with his family.
Raymond is survived by his wife, Gloria; two daughters, Marlo Rae Hemp of Karlstad and Jeanette (Edward) Pulczinski of Greenbush; one stepdaughter, Marjean (Curtis) Wolff of Strathcona; three sons, Raymond George (Cindy) Rybakowski of Middle River, Richard (Naomi) Rybakowski of Roseau and Calvin Rybakowski of Middle River; eight grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Agnes Polansky of Lake Villa, IL; one foster sister, Alice Matero of Middle River; one foster brother, Boyd Johnson of Middle River; three Godchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Pearl Sannes; two sisters, Isabel Manko and Delores Rybakowski; one half-sister, Margaret Green; one half-brother, Frank Jasnoch; foster parents; foster sister, Inga Beito; and foster brother, Thelmer Johnson.