Toivo Edward Rysman Jr.

Toivo Edward Rysman Jr. of Duluth died on April 22^nd, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital after suffering a brain bleed caused by Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA). 

Toivo was born on November 4, 1940, in Duluth to Violet and Toivo Rysman Sr. He graduated from Central High School in 1959 and attended Duluth Business University, where he studied accounting. 

While at business school, Toivo met and fell in love with Charlotte Lenning. They married in 1961 and spent 62 years together raising two children, Lynn Marie and Jill Kathleen, and walking through life’s many adventures in Duluth and their former home at Lake Nichols in Canyon. 

He had a varied career as an accountant, teacher, financial planner, restaurateur and phlebotomist. But what most defined Toivo’s life was his commitment to the community. He volunteered for many years at Elim Lutheran Church, served as a first responder and firefighter with the Northland Fire Department, was active in the Lake Nichols Association, and maintained association with the Masons Euclid Lodge. 

Toivo loved people and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He loved his family and was a continued presence and source of joy and encouragement. He loved life and continued to embrace new activities and challenges, learning to make complex three-dimensional wooden puzzles, keeping healthy with the Silver Sneakers crew at the Hermantown YMCA, reading, and growing flower and vegetable gardens. Toivo loved God and lived with a deep and uncomplicated faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Barbara Klund, and brother Dale Rysman, among other loved ones.  

He’ll be missed by his wife, Charlotte, of Duluth; daughters, Lynn (Kevin) Welch, of Madison, WI, and Jill Rysman, of Duluth; beloved grandchildren, Aiden and Emmeline Welch of Madison, WI; brothers, Richard, of Hermantown and Duane, of Fort Wayne; and many extended family members including nieces Patty Pederson and Dana Benson. 

Toivo continued to live his life trying not to worry too much about his CAA diagnosis in 2021, as advised by his doctor, Zachary Lundstrom. For this, his family will be forever grateful. We also thank St. Luke’s Hospital hospice team for its compassionate care.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on May 17 followed by an 11 a.m. service at Elim Lutheran Church, 6101 Cody St., Duluth, MN. Memorials can be made to Elim Lutheran Church.

Arrangements by Williams-Lobermeier-Boettcher Funeral Home.