Gerald Ryle

Gerald Ryle, age 91, of Staples, passed away at the Lakewood Health System Hospital on Friday, October 9. A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, October 15 at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Internment will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton, SD at a later date.

Gerald, "Jerry" Ryle was born on November 10, 1917, at Wagner, SD; the son of Jerry and Marie (Murray) Ryle. He was joined in marriage to Ardis Authier on August 31, 1940 in the Cathedral of the Epiphany at Sioux City, IA. He enlisted in the Army and served in WWII, and was proud to have served in the task force of the 1st Infantry Regiment that liberated Bataan. After the war Jerry and Ardis co-owned and operated Rays Lockers in Pipestone, MN, owned a theater in Moville, IA and a resort on West Battle Lake, MN. He joined the Air Force in 1952, served in Nebraska, Fairbanks, Alaska, Minneapolis, and Brainerd (1957-1962 he was an Air Force Recruiter), Tampa, Florida (during the Cuban Missile Crisis), Orlando, Florida, and Osan, Korea, before retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1966. Sgt. Ryle received 22 decorations and awards including; the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star, Commendation Medals from the Army and Air Force, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze battle stars and one bronze invasion arrowhead. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 791 in Yankton, SD.

Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, and a good joke. His passion in his later life was the genealogy of the Ryle family, tracing his ancestors back to their origins in Ireland and their spread across America. He traveled to Ireland twice to locate living relatives. His last trip was in 2006.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Ardis; daughter, Pat; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and three sisters.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

Brenny Funeral Home 218-894-1910