Jerry Rysavy, 83, Owatonna

Jerry Rysavy of rural Owatonna, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Traditions I of Owatonna.

Mass of Christian Burial is set for Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Litomysl. Friends may greet the family on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, at the church from 4–7 p.m. and one hour prior to the funeral Mass at Litomysl. Burial will follow the Mass at the church cemetery. A parish rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. at the church on Tuesday.

Jerry was born July 25, 1941, the son of Jerry and Roselyn (Simon) Rysavy. Jerry attended country school and later graduated from Marian High School, Owatonna, in 1959.

He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Meier on July 6, 1963, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Litomysl. Together the couple made their home on the family farm in rural Steele County and raised two children.

Jerry farmed alongside his dad and younger brother, Joe, at what was known as the “Rysavy Brothers Farms.” Jerry was a dairy and crop farmer all his life. During the off-season, Jerry worked as a mechanic at Massey Ferguson and Ford Implement and also worked for his brother-in-law, LeRoy, at D & M Construction driving truck. Farming was a big part of Jerry’s life, and he worked on the farm until a few short months ago when his body was unable to continue.

Jerry was a member of Holy Trinity Church, Church Choir, was a Church Trustee, and a member of the Somerset Township Board. His life interests included bowling, softball, horseshoe league, snowmobiling, and hanging out with his grandsons. He loved Roy Rogers and watching old westerns.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann; children Cheryl (Jim) Rohwer and Dale Rysavy, both of Owatonna; grandsons Brandon and Brady Rohwer; siblings Thomas (Ana) Rysavy of Random Lake, WI, Kenneth (Betty) Rysavy of Laurens, SC, Joe (Cheryl) Rysavy of Ellendale, MN, Michael (Sharon) Rysavy of Geneva, MN, and Rita Wandrey of Owatonna. Additional survivors include brother-in-law LeRoy (Dorothy) Meier of Owatonna; sisters-in-law Arlys Rysavy, Arlene (Lavern) Soukup, Alice Dulitz, and Karen Meier, all of Owatonna.

He was preceded in death by son Douglas; brother David; brothers-in-law Gary Wandrey, Robert Meier, and Richard Dulitz; and sisters-in-law Kathy Meier and Gail Rysavy.