Corey J. Rystad died on Saturday, December 2, 2006 in combat in Fallujah, Iraq.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 PM, Wednesday, December 13, 2006, at St. Joseph Church, Red Lake Falls, MN, with Bishop Victor Balke Presiding and Father Tim Bushy as Con Celebrant and Homilist, and Father Mike Foltz, Con Celebrant. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Red Lake Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 5 " 8 PM, Tuesday, December, 12, 2006, at Lafayette High School Gymnasium, Red Lake Falls, with a 7 PM prayer service and for one hour prior to service at the church, Wednesday.

Corey J. Rystad son of Jim and Donna (Salentiny) Rystad was born December 31, 1985 in Crookston, MN. He was baptized in the Catholic faith at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls where he received his first Communion and was confirmed. He attended St. Joseph School, Red Lake Falls, graduated from sixth grade and then on to Lafayette High School, Red Lake Falls and graduated in 2004. While in high school, Corey was active in sports and lettered in football and hockey. He also participated in golf. He enjoyed hunting and being with friends and lived and loved life. While in high school, Corey took an interest in refining youth hockey games. He was the head ref, scheduling refs for all the youth hockey games. This is something Corey took a lot of pride in; he passed his passion and job on to his brother Brian.

Corey enlisted in the National Guard in 2004 following in his father, brother and grandfathers military footsteps. He went to Fort Benning, GA where he graduated from basic training in February of 2005. He was activated and left in October of 2005 for Camp Shelby, MS and then for Iraq in April of 2006. He was last home on leave in June of 2006 for 2 weeks. Corey achieved the rank of Sargent in the Army National Guard and was presently serving our country in Iraq.

Corey is survived by his parents Jim and Donna Rystad of Red Lake Falls, MN, sister Sarah of Alexandria, MN, brothers David of Moorhead, MN and Brian of Red Lake Falls, MN. Maternal grandmother Elaine Salentiny of Euclid, MN, aunts Karen Salentiny(his God Mother) of Crookston, MN, LaVonne (Don) Brown of Oklee, MN and Barb (Gary) Weberg of Wylie, TX. Uncles include Paul (special friend Donna) Salentiny of Edinberg, ND, Richard (Debbie) Salentiny of Plummer, MN, Dennis (Debbie) Salentiny of Red Lake Falls, MN, Gary (his God Father) (Rhonda) of Euclid, MN and Roy (Carolyn) Rystad of Oklee, MN. He is also survived by many other relatives, friends and classmates.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Peter Salentiny and Paternal grandparents Elton and Ruby Rystad and friend and fellow classmate Kyle Myhre.

A Memorial has been set up in Coreys Honor at Unity Bank North, PO Box 280, Red Lake Falls, MN, 56750.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

SPECIAL MUSIC: Music Ministers of St. Joseph Catholic Church
CASKETBEARERS: United States Armed Forces
MILITARY HONORS: United States Armed Forces