Richard “Dick” Rys, age 55 of Walnut Grove died unexpectedly Tuesday October 27, 2009 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 30 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation will be 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the church with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service.

Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Friday. Interment is in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Walnut Grove. Online condolences may be sent at www.walnutgrovefuneralhome.com. The Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements

Richard “Dick” Rys was born February 19, 1954 to Charles and Donna (Starnes) Rys in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He received the sacraments at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. He attended school in Walnut Grove and graduated in 1972. While in school, Dick participated in all sports and continued with softball and golf after his high school years. He was a lifelong resident of Walnut Grove. He farmed with his cousin Dean and felt a great deal of responsibility in it. A quiet person by nature, Dick was always concerned about his family and loved them very much as demonstrated by his dedication to being the primary caretaker of his mother during the last few years of her life and helping his sister after she became sick last year. He always kept up with what his niece and nephews were doing. Dick was a kind-hearted, gentle person and had a great sense of humor. He was a member of the Tracy Country Club and enjoyed golfing and other sports. He liked crossword puzzles, reading, and always followed the news. He especially loved spending time with his family and friends.

Dick is survived by his sisters: Marilyn (Tom) Mead of Spearfish, SD, Janice Olson of Redwood Falls, and Patricia (Glenn) McPhee of Charlotte, NC; one niece: Jen Olson; 5 nephews: Jeff (Chris) Olson, John Olson, Tommy Mead, Greg Mead, and Graham McPhee; 1 great nephew: Waylon Olson; one aunt: Evelyn Rys; cousins: Dean, Susan, and Kay Rys; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; aunts; uncles; and other family members. Dick will be greatly missed.