Glenn Elwood Rye, age 95, of Sun City, Arizona, passed away on Monday, Dec. 30, 2022.
A funeral service will be Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at 2 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 1 p.m., at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, Minnesota. Burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery in Hills.
Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne, Minnesota. To sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
Glenn Elwood Rye was born in Valley Springs, South Dakota, to Gullick Rye and Emma (Thompson) Rye on Feb. 9, 1927. He attended school in Hills, Minnesota. He graduated from Augustana College and obtained a Master’s Degree from Loma Linda University.
Glenn served in the United States Army and was a veteran of World War II. In recognition of his service, Honor Flight sent Glenn and his daughter, Ramona, to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Glenn worked as a school teacher in Minnesota, Arizona and Colorado. He also owned real estate brokerage companies in California and Colorado. Glenn was the chairman of the Loveland, Colorado, Planning Commission. He cofounded and was chairman of the City of Loveland Housing Authority. Glenn conceived of and received much recognition for H.O.U.S.E., Home Ownership Using Sweat Equity. Under Glenn’s leadership, the Housing Authority provided housing for families left homeless after the 1976 Big Thompson Flood. Glenn was the 1979 Loveland Realtor of the Year and was a member of Rotary.
Glenn was preceded in death by his daughter, Angela Ann Rye (1955-1968), his parents, and sisters and brothers, Gullick Rye, Emma Rye, Norris Rye, Opal Nelson, Eldora Bakk, Beverly Nerison, Raymond Rye and Vivian Helgeson, and son-in-law, Scott Perkins.
Glenn married Donna Entenman on August 19, 1954, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Glenn is survived by former wife, Donna, son Randy Rye (Ellen Laubhan), son Dan Rye (Brigid Devney-Rye), son Greg Rye (Lisa Rye) and daughter Ramona Perkins (Rye). Glenn is also survived by grandchildren: Court Rye, Cassia Hanton, Summer Rye, Sam Rye and Ben Rye and great-grandchildren: Kalen and Dylan Hanton.
Glenn was dearly loved by his family and extended family. He made friends easily and was especially caring of those who needed encouragement. He had a bright mind, wonderful sense of humor and excellent memory. He was the repository of family history and enjoyed being the storyteller at family gatherings.
The family of Glenn Rye wishes to extend sincere thanks to his caregiver, Cecilia Celaya, The Veteran’s Administration and Hospice of the Valley.
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