Joseph Rysavy, 71, Ellendale
June 13, 1953-Jan. 24, 2025
Joseph Michael Rysavy of Ellendale, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Jan. 24, 2025, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah, Wis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Litomysl, 9946 SE 24th Ave., Owatonna. Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna, and one hour prior to the Mass at the church. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will follow the Mass at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Litomysl.
Joe was born on June 13, 1953, to Jerry and Roselyn (Simon) Rysavy.
Like the subject of Paul Harvey's famous address, "God made a farmer," that he did, in Joe. He dedicated his life to sowing the fields and milking cows on the same farm where he grew up. In 1976, Joe joined his father, Jerry Sr., and older brother, Jerry Jr., in operating the family farm.
Also in 1976, he married Cheryl (Johnson), and together they raised five children.
In early 2002, Joe was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, but that didn’t stop him from what he knew and loved, farming. In 1996, Joe’s son Benjamin graduated high school and joined Joe in the family farm operation. In 1999, his son Jacob began farming alongside them part time. Joe never retired from farming, and his farming legacy lives on through his two sons and grandsons.
Joe’s life revolved around farming, but he also cherished time spent at his young children’s Sunday 4-H softball games and the County Fair dairy shows.
In his recent years, he enjoyed countless Western movies, tinkering with his tools, spending time with his family and friends, and reminiscing about his younger years.
Joe is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cheryl; children: Benjamin (Wendy) Rysavy, Jacob Rysavy (Carrie Kirk-Long), all of Owatonna, Rachel (Racey) Underwood of Ellendale, Karen (Tyler) Patten of Neenah, Wis., and Katelyn Rysavy of Ellendale; grandchildren Hailey and Marcus Rysavy, Clayton and Kendyl Kaplan, Eli Underwood, and Jack Patten; siblings Thomas (Ana) Rysavy of Random Lake, Wis., Kenneth (Betty) Rysavy of Laurens, S.C., Michael (Sharon) Rysavy of Geneva, and Rita Wandrey of Owatonna; and sisters-in-law Mary Ann Rysavy and Arlys Rysavy, both of Owatonna.
He was preceded in death by his grandchildren Hannah Rysavy and Trevor Kaplan; parents Jerry and Roselyn Rysavy; in-laws Kenneth and Ramah Johnson; brothers Jerry Jr. and David Rysavy; brothers-in-law Gary Wandrey and Wayne Johnson; and sister-in-law Gail Rysavy.
Memorials may be directed to Holy Trinity Catholic Church at Litomysl, Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota, or the Parkinson’s Foundation. For more information or to leave an online message of condolence, go to www.megercares.com.