Elton Ryberg, 77

Elton Allen Ryberg was born January 10, 1934, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Arnold and Ella (Olson) Ryberg. He was baptized and confirmed at Highland Park Lutheran Church, graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1951, and received his BA in Radio and TV Communications from the University of Minnesota

In 1956, he joined the US Air Force and served in Special Forces base in Bangor, Maine. He returned to the Twin Cities to work in radio broadcasting at KSTP, hosting “The Elton Ryberg Show”.

In 1964, Elton moved to San Francisco where he was on the air at ABC and CBS Radio for seven years. In his second career, he became a chemical dependency counselor at St. Mary’s Hospital. During this time, Elton’s life came full circle.  At 6 years of age, Elton told people, “I want to be a minister when I grow up.”  While working, Elton began his studies at United Theological Seminary and received his Master of Divinity in 1983.  As an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church, Elton served in Norwood-Young America, Ham Lake, Eyota, Chaska, Fairfax and the Prairie Lake Cooperative Parish (Waterville).  When retired from parish ministry he became the Chaplain at the Northfield Retirement Community until 2005.

Elton married Connie Saterbak Bragonier in 1992.

His interests were broad, and he loved to discuss anything from politics to sports. He was an avid reader - maintaining a large library of his favorite books. He was known for his compassionate nature, his humor and his vital spirit.
Survivors include his wife, Connie; 2 step-daughters and their husbands: Cheryl and Barry Kempton of St Paul, Renee and Andre Lanka of Lakeville. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother James.
Elton passed away with his wife by his side on Sunday morning, December 18, 2011, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center at the age of 77.

Service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at the United Methodist Church in Northfield with Revs. Marty Raths, Clay Oglesbee and Mike Wuehler officiating. A reception will follow. Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, Northfield. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. at the church.

Memorials are preferred to the United Methodist Church Pension Fund or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home. www.northfieldfuneral.com