Pauline Ryberg

Pauline Hade Ryberg, born August 8, 1925 in Harcourt, Iowa to Frankie and Paul Hade, passed September 30, 2014 at her home in Sandpoint, Idaho. She was 89. Pauline grew up on the family farm in Harcourt. She spoke fondly of her rural farm life, was actively involved in 4-H and especially proud that as a young girl, her shorthorn steer won Grand Champion at the Iowa State Fair. In 1947, Pauline Hade married John Ryberg in Gowrie, Iowa. Pauline was a well-educated woman. In 1947, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Education with a major in Music from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. She was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority and Sigma Alpha Iota Music Sorority. She later received her Master’s Degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University in California. Pauline began her teaching career in Roland, Iowa as a high school music teacher and later taught elementary school for 20 years at Murphy Ranch in Whittier, California. After her retirement, Pauline moved to Idaho in 1990, and made her home in Sandpoint in 1991. She worked at the Bonner County Library for many years. She was an avid reader and shared her love of children’s literature by reading to young children at the library, schools and day care center. Her family has fond memories of their Grandma “Polly” reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” every year, and later reading her own favorite children’s books to her great-grandchildren. Music was also a life-long passion of Pauline’s. She loved classical music and as an accomplished soprano, she participated in and led many choirs. She also shared her love of music with residents of the Life Care Center, Valley Vista, Senior Center and Daybreak Center by organizing and leading weekly singing. Pauline as an active member of her community. She was member of the Sandpoint Civic Club and Presbyterian Women’s Group. She developed loving and lasting friendships, enjoyed her weekly coffee dates with her friends and going out to lunch. She relaxed in the evening with a glass of Hogue Cellars Lake Harvest Riesling and kept in touch with her growing family, using her iPad touch. Pauline was an accomplished calligrapher, quilter and knitter. She loved to bake cookies, play cards and games. She was spunky and active her entire life and even at the age of 89, continued to lift weights and exercise regularly at Curves. One of Pauline’s’ many proud accomplishments was traveling the world and visiting all 7 continents. For her last traveling adventure at the age of 83, she visited Antarctica with her daughter, Sharon, and son-in-law, Russell. She remained engaged and interested in world events, politics and social and environmental issues. Pauline supported many non-profit organizations and charities including the Southern Poverty Law Center, Habitat for Humanity, The American Lung Association, Panhandle Animal Shelter, Special Olympics, Easter Seals, and National Public Radio. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests that you honor Pauline by contributing to one of these beloved non-profits and charities. Pauline was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed. Survivors include her children: Greg (Rose) Ryberg, Sandpoint, Brett (Linda) Ryberg, Spokane, Washington, Sharon (Russell) Moller, San Dimas, California; grandchildren: Meghan (Peter) Ruttan, Dana (Mike) Peak, Angela (Jourdan) Marshall, Erika (EJ) Jarreau, Karl (Shawna) Moller, Sean (Janna) Moller, Will Moller; and eight great-grandchildren. Pauline’s memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at 1 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church, in Sandpoint, Idaho with a reception to follow.