In Memory

Ralph Bye - Class Of 1955 VIEW PROFILE

SWEET GRASS - Ralph Ingvald Bye, 72, a Sweet Grass-area farmer, died of natural causes Sunday at his home. Ralph was born in Great Falls, Mont., on Nov. 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, N.D., 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 Oct. 1, 1999.

Ralph married Lyla Seymour on Aug. 15, 2003. 

Survivors include wife Lyla; son Lowell Bye (Jen) of Sunburst; daughters Stacey Pozdnekoff (James) of Sweet Grass, Tammy Loga (Marty) of Bee, Neb., Lyla Kultgen (Kent) of Stevensville; a stepson, Tom Seymour of Sunburst; brother Eldon Bye (Shirley) of Kevin; and sister Leona Baczuk (Joe) of Milk River, Alberta; 15 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Eva Bye.

Ralph loved adventure and taking the road less traveled.  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 "snowbirding" for the winter; Washington, D.C.; Seattle; Fort Bragg; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; 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.

Visitation is 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Whitted Funeral Chapel in Shelby. His funeral is 2 p.m. Friday at Sunburst Lutheran Church.  Memorials are suggested to the Sunburst Lutheran Church; or Peace Hospice of Montana, 1101 26th S., Great Falls, MT 59405.  Condolences may be posted online at www.whittedfuneralchapel.com and/or www.gftribune.com/obituaries.

Published in Great Falls Tribune on January 13, 2010

 



 
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04/13/10 08:58 PM #1    

Lyla Seymour (Kultgen) (1983)

Missing you everyday.

I was proud to be part of your family and I cherish the countless memories of you and all the fun we had together.

I wish I had a dollar for everytime you laughed and said kiddingly, "take a damn shower!". You never let me forget that flip statement I made 7 years ago. If I had a dollar for every time we could go back to DC and eat breakfast at McDonalds!!!!

I remember the last words you spoke to me the day before you passed, "good girl". I'll try Ralph, I'll try.

Love Lyla Rae





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