Obituary: Roland Dyrness

Roland Eugene (Ron) Dyrness, 83, died peacefully, in Burbank, Calif., on Sunday Nov. 10, 2019, after a lengthy illness. A funeral mass was held Monday, Nov. 25 at 12 p.m. at St. Finbar Catholic Church in Burbank. A luncheon followed at the Elks Lodge.

Ron was born on Nov. 25, 1935, in New Rockford, N.D., to Leonard and Myrtle Dyrness. He was the first child of nine boys and two girls, and graduated in 1953 from St. James Academy in New Rockford.

On June 25, 1955, Ron married the love of his life, Patty Bush, who he knew since he was a very young child in New Rockford. They have three children: Joann, of Burbank, Timothy (Mireya), Castaic, Calif., and Thomas (Vickie), Sunland, Calif. Ron and Patty also have seven grandchildren: Jennifer, Adrian, Justin, Alexandria, Tanner, Jaden and Lauren; six great-grandchildren: Jodi, Lilly, Emma, Madison, Hunter and Harley. Ron and Patty loved spending time with all their children and grandkids and wouldn't miss any of their birthdays, school activities, games and graduations.

In 1954, Ron attended telegraphy school in Seattle and worked for the Great Northern Railway in North Dakota. In 1959, he went to work for Surety Title Co. in New Rockford. Ron and Patty moved their family to North Hollywood, Calif., in 1962, and Ron went to work for the Hutchings Court Reporting Firm. He later joined his uncle, Roger Dyrness, in the automotive business and eventually partnered with three of his brothers (LJ, Jim and Jack) to own and operate Dyrness Automotive in Glendale, Calif. Their company was very active in Glendale community development and services for many years. Ron retired in 2006.

Ron was a proud, active member of the Glendale Elks Lodge for 25 years, as well as the Glendale Moose Lodge for 20 years. He was also a member of St. Finbar Catholic Church in Burbank. He enjoyed golf, travel, square dancing, ballroom dancing, singing and card playing. He loved going to the horse races as well as camping. He and Patty were members of the Elk's Gallivanter Camping Group for 25 years.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, and five brothers: Raymond, Jim, Don, Rudolph and Timothy. He is survived by his wife, Patty; his three children; all grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by five siblings: Lauretta Babineau of Victorville, Calif.; Leonard (Susie) of Victorville, Calif.; Jack (Kathy) of Burbank; Ralph of Valley City, N.D., and Leona Fox of Newport Beach, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation, in Ron's memory, to your favorite charity. Catholic masses said in his memory would also be appreciated. To know our dear Ron is to love him and we will miss him dearly.