Ralph
Ingvald Bye, 72, a Sweet Grass area farmer, passed peacefully to his new
home on Sunday morning Jan 10, 2010.
Visitation will be in Shelby at the Whitted Funeral Chapel on Thursday, January
14, 2010 from 1:00 to 8:00 pm, with Funeral Services at Sunburst Lutheran Church
on Friday, January 15, 2010 at 2:00 pm.
Ralph was born in Great Falls, Montana on November 26, 1937 to Lawrence and Eva
Bye. Educated in the Sweet Grass and Sunburst area schools, Ralph graduated from
high school in 1955. He then attended trade school in Fargo, North Dakota before
beginning his life’s work, farming and ranching in the Sweet Grass area, first
with his father and brother and in later years with son Lowell and nephews Scott
and Griff Bye.
Ralph married Irene Sorenson on May 9, 1967. Three children: Stacey, Lowell and
Tammy completed the family. Irene passed away October 1, 1999.
Ralph married Lyla Seymour on August 15, 2003.
Hobbies included building and flying model airplanes, golfing, spending time on
the road visiting relatives, and playing with his grandchildren. In addition to
winning almost every game he played, from darts to Scrabble, Ralph loved to
travel. The destinations are too numerous to count, but include “Snow-birding”
for the winter, Washington DC, Seattle, Fort Brag, Edmonton, Nebraska, and many
parts of North Dakota. Ralph also enjoyed working with his many Caterpillars.
Countless hours were spent digging, dozing, and pushing dirt and snow.
Survivors include wife Lyla, son Lowell Bye (Jen) of Sunburst, daughters Stacey
Pozdnekoff (James) of Sweetgrass, Tammy Loga (Marty) of Bee, Nebraska, Lyla
Kultgen (Kent) of Stevensville , and Tom Seymour of Sunburst, brother Eldon Bye
(Shirley) of Kevin and sister Leona Baczuk (Joe) of Milk River, Alberta. Ralph
is also survived by 15 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was
preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Eva Bye and Irene Bye.
Ralph loved adventure and taking the road less traveled.
Memorials are suggested to the Sunburst Lutheran Church or Peace Hospice of Montana 1101 26th S. Great Falls, MT 59405. Condolences may be posted at www.whittedfuneralchapel.com