George William Riba, 97, Minot and formerly of rural Balfour died on Saturday, March 21, 2009 in a Minot healthcare center.

George was born on November 9, 1911 in Anamoose, North Dakota to Joseph and Emma (Strege) Riba. He was reared on a farm north of Anamoose and attended rural school in that area. As a young adult he assisted on the family farm.

George married Alpha Kjos on November 23, 1935 in Minot. They made their home on the Kjos family farm north of Balfour, ND. Following his retirement from farming in 1972, they moved to Minot. George began employment with the City of Minot in 1973 and was employed in several positions, but he was often found mowing grass along city streets. Alpha died on August 17, 1976. George married Katherine "Kay" Johnson Kabanuk in January of 1978 in Minot. They made their home in Minot where he continued with the City of Minot until his retirement in 1993. He had resided at 1504 6th Street for 36 years until two months ago when he entered ManorCare Health Services due to a broken hip and further complications.

George was a member of First Lutheran Church - Minot and a former member of Christ Lutheran Church - Minot and Trinity Lutheran Church - Drake. He was a former member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge- Balfour and Moose Lodge - Minot. He especially enjoyed spending time with family, drinking coffee with friends at Dakota Square Mall, and watching reruns of the Lawrence Welk show.

George's surviving family includes his wife of 31years Katherine "Kay" Riba of Minot; children: Grant "Pappy" Riba of Minot and Judy Davis of Columbia, MO; stepchildren: Rhonda (Ron) Pennazoli of Clinton Township, MI, Karen (Clint) Beeter, Lori (Kenny) Aberle and Sheila Rioux (Garry Watson) allof Minot; grandchildren: Natasha Riba (fiancé Eric Dailey), Krystle (Jason) Kazban, Sarah (Jamie) Stewart, Erica and Monica Davis, Andrea(Elias) Marquez, and Angie(Jared) Davis-Schlieper; step-grandchildren:Kari (Scott) Herslip, Kristi (Terry) Chole, Kevin (Renae) Beeter, Jenny Aberle (fiancé Johannes Olwage), and Kayla Aberle; 11 great grandchildren; and sister: Elsie McFall of Minot as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

George was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, son-in-law: Ron Davis, sister: Agnes Zeitler and brothers: Lester and Ervin.

Funeral Service: Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens - Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.