Richard’s Story

Site created on March 2, 2019

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement.

First and foremost, thanks so much to all the friends and family for your thoughts and prayers. We see every day how much Rich is appreciated as a wonderful husband, dad, grandfather and friend to so many.

As we move along my amazing sisters Sherri and Brenda plus the rest of the family will be sharing thoughts as well. We invite everyone including you to please share a fun thought about Rich. 

This last week has been quite a journey of highs and lows. I have definitely gone through a crash course in medical jargon....

On February 11th, dad fell on the ice getting out of his truck. Rich's already ailing back took the brunt of the fall and the T12 on the spinal column was crushed. He also hit his head and started bleeding badly from he head wound. Mom took him to the emergency room where they stopped the bleeding and told Rich he was good to go. 

Over the next few weeks his back wasn't getting any better so mom took dad in for an MRI on Tuesday, February 26th. This indicated the crushed vertebrae. From there he was admitted to the hospital to get stabilized until surgery. 

It seemed like he was doing okay however non stop sharp pain, sleep deprivation and medication took a toll. After awhile Rich's lungs had acquired water so his breathing was limited. They tried various masks to force oxygen however eventually doctors sedated and intubated dad. 

The emotional ups and downs that all families eventually go through in this situation hit us hard. Mom has been through so much and driven forward watching her husband of 56 years lay immobile  yet can't do anything but wait in limbo. We cried, we talked and we waited. Today they took him out of sedation and checked if he could breathe on his own. We held out hope and prayers were somewhat answered. Dad looked cognizant and was breathing on his own. There are a few more things he needs to do tomorrow to pass their litmus test before stopping intubation. 

By the way, Rich and Karen's 56th anniversary was Sunday, March 3rdll! Happy anniversary mom and dad!!!

 Thank you for bearing with me. I tried to give you the Readers Digest version.

 Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers! I have come to know mom and dad have the best friends in the world. And of course in my heart we have the bestest family evvvvvverrrr!

Greg

I will keep you posted as we move along.


Newest Update

Journal entry by Greg Ressler

Richard Ressler passed away peacefully and with dignity at Sanford Hospital on Saturday, September 28th, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. Rich was born on July 31st, 1940, to John and Katherine (Skalski) Ressler in Solen, ND. He grew up in Mandan, ND, graduating from Mandan High School with the class of '59. Rich married Karen J. Nelson on March 3rd of 1963 in Mandan. They had three children, Gregory, Sherri and Brenda. Rich and Karen lived in Mandan until moving to Minot in 1964. The family moved again in1972, settling in West Fargo, ND.

   Rich was a very motivated man determined to succeed in life through hard work and perseverance. His first job was pumping gas in Bismarck. He went on to become a typewriter repairman, moving on to copier repairman, then to copier salesman traveling Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota.  Rich served in the National Guard from 1962 to 1968.  Rich eventually helped start up and owned GR Graphics Office Equipment in the mid '70's, selling and servicing office equipment along with office supplies. He ran GR Graphics for 33 years and sold to Marco Inc. in 2009. In retirement Rich enjoyed time with Karen, family and friends at Lake Sybil most of the year and then also in Arizona during winter months.


   There were many things Rich was appreciated for by family and friends: Quick wit. His hand gestures and expressions would speak volumes. Ready for a beer and good conversation whenever one was up for it. Rich appreciated a good joke as much as telling them. He was an amazing cook and loved it when people would enjoy his meals including his tasty ribs plus fire and ice pickles. He would have given Bobby Flay a run for his money. Loved watching NDSU Bison football with family and friends alike since moving to Fargo in the 70's. The one beautiful thing about Richie with those that know him, he was generous without ever expecting anything in return. So many more reasons......

  Rich is survived by Karen, his loving wife of 56 years; his children Greg Ressler (Peggy Heuer) of Dent, MN, Sherri Ramberg of West Fargo and Brenda Koski (Brian) of Hawley, MN. Rich is also survived by 7 Grandchildren: Robert Ramberg (Rachel), Jessica Morrissey, Cameron Ramberg, Conrad Ressler, Christian Ramberg, Sierra Ramberg and Justin Koski. 3 great Grandchildren, Vayda Mae Ramberg, Mia Morrissey and Kaiden Morrissey. He also  loved his six grand dogs!

   Rich is survived by a brother Clark of Seattle, WA plus three sisters, Kathleen Costello (Jim) of Mirada, CA; Evey Russell of Mandan, ND and also Hildie Gray of Seattle, WA.

Visitation:  11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, October 3, 2019, at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND

Celebration of Life:  1 p.m. Thursday October 3, in the funeral Home.


Please wear NDSU Bison gear. A celebration of Life will follow at the West Fargo VFW.       

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon, ND or Service Dogs for America, Jud, ND.

Thanks so so much to everyone who followed our journey and supported the family. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated more than we could ever acknowledge. Thanks to CaringBridge for this opportunity to share. We will miss you dad!

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