Olga Ryks, 96, formerly of Austin, Minn., died at Samaritan Bethany Heights on Friday, July 1, 2011, in Rochester, Minn., where she had resided since 2008.

Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church (1835 19th Avenue NW Rochester, MN) on Friday, July 8, with The Rev. Wesley Gabel and The Reverend Jean Boese officiating. Lunch will be served following the funeral service, and burial will take place at Grandview Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be at the church starting at 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Olga was born in Cuevas, Miss., on Dec. 4, 1914, to Nicolaas and Jantje (Modderman) Mooi. As a young girl, she came to Minnesota following the death of her parents and was raised in Renville, Minn., by George and Anna Stryker. She graduated from Renville High School in 1933. She married Louie Ryks on Oct. 9, 1937, in Austin, Minn.

She and her husband farmed south of Austin for many years until retiring in 1975. Olga and her husband also worked for Wolds Drug Store in Austin. Olga, a very giving person, was a foster parent for 28 children, and if you stopped by to buy eggs on the farm, you probably would end up being invited to stay for supper. After Louie died in September 1987, Olga volunteered as a senior companion in Austin. She also enjoyed crocheting, baking, reading and family gatherings. She was a member of the United Methodist Women, Golden Age, and a volunteer at the Burr Oak Nursing Home in Austin.

Olga is survived by a son, Elso L. Ryks (Marlene) of Albert Lea, Minn.; daughter, Anna Mae Dingfelder of Rochester; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Ortenblad of Hastings, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents, brother and four sisters.

Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.