Funeral services for Sylvia G. VanRyswyk of Albert Lea will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Christ Christian in Albert Lea. The Rev. Mike Gerhardt will officiate. Visitation will be held today, from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Bonnerup Funeral Service, 525 West Clark St., and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Hayward Cemetery.
Sylvia died Saturday, May 23, 2009, at the Good Samaritan Center in Albert Lea. She was 85 years of age.
Sylvia was born Dec. 11, 1923, near Hayward, the daughter of Ernest and Olive (Painter) Bank. She attended school in Hayward and Deavereau and graduated from Albert Lea High School. Sylvia was united in marriage to Paul VanRyswyk on Dec. 23, 1949, in Albert Lea.
Sylvia was a member of the Church Of Christ Christian and had served as Sunday School superintendent for many years. She had been employed in the Arkansas Ordinance Plant on the detonator line and worked at the Johnson Fur Co. She started work at Skinners Dept Store in 1966, continuing on at Herberger’s and retiring as office manager in 1986.
Sylvia was an active member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Women of the Moose. She served as Senior Regent from 1970 to 1971.
In her free time, Sylvia enjoyed gardening, canning, bowling, sewing, camping, dancing and fishing. She was a great cook and was known for her dill pickles. She was always willing to help others.
Sylvia is survived by her daughter in law: Janice VanRyswyk of Albert Lea; two grandchildren: Brandon and Kimberly; and six great-grandchildren. There is one brother surviving: Dennis Bank of Hayward; two sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul; son, Patrick (Rick); father and mother-in-law; four brothers: Henry (infant), Marshall, Howard and Eugene; two sisters: Vonda and Evelyn; and seven brothers-in-law.