Richard “Rik” Trytten

Monday, August 22, 2016 1:26 pm

Richard “Rik” Trytten, 39, of Decorah, died Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, at his home in Decorah, after a year-long battle with cancer. Services are at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 25,  at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Chad Huebner officiating. Organist is Yvonne Kuhlman. Soloists are Mary Arneson (“On Eagles’ Wings”) and Jeni Grouws (“All I Want”). Hymns are “Amazing Grace” and “Day By Day.” Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah. Casket bearers are Tom Bockman, Todd Kramme, Dan Marx, Tom Massman, Darrick Olson and Chris Van Gerpen.

Rik was born Feb. 4, 1977, the son of Richard “Dick” and Dianne (Einck) Trytten of Decorah. He attended Decorah Community Schools. He moved to Iowa Falls, where he owned and operated Water Buffaloes Restaurant and ran his own construction company. When he moved back to Decorah in 2007, Rik began working for Spahn and Rose Lumber Company as manager of the Decorah location. He loved creating, designing and building homes, and his Spahn and Rose family. Rik was married to Julie (Satre Shockey) Trytten Aug. 1, 2015. If he wasn’t building or fixing something, Rik loved helping others and would often fix things before people even realized they were broken. He loved spending time with family and friends, especially on the Upper Iowa River and at Your Place. He enjoyed golfing and being at the range.

Rik is survived by his wife, Julie, and his stepson, Larsson; his parents, Dick and Dianne Trytten, Decorah; his brother and family Ryan and Sadie (Smid) Trytten, Torey, Layla, Davin and Harper of Urbandale; his sister and family Emily (Trytten) and Todd Kellenberger, Rowan and Audrey of Ankeny; grandparents Norma (Koch) and Jerome Einck of Decorah; several aunts and uncles: Sandy (Vern) Thuente, Decorah; Annette Bohr (Karl) Wiltgen, Ossian; Linda (Bill) Ludwig, Fort Atkinson; Kay Schmiesing, Waterloo; and Chris (Ann) Trytten, Hollister, Calif.; along with many cousins and friends. He was also loved by his new family, mother-and father-in-law, Ann (Evenson) and Bill Satre of Albert Lea, Minn.; and sister-in- law and family Beth (Satre) and Jason Isaacson, Will, Addie and Abe of Glenville, Minn.

Rik was preceded in death by his grandparents Norman and Unabelle Trytten; uncles Kenneth Bohr and Erl Schmiesing; cousins Michael Schmiesing and Adam Bohr and his beloved dog Divot.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations made to establish a scholarship in Rik’s name. Donations may be sent to Viking State Bank RE: Rik Trytten Scholarship, 321 W. Water St., Decorah, Iowa, 52101.