John Herbert Risius, age 56, of Bricelyn, died on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004, at his home in Bricelyn in the loving arms of his wife and surrounded by his family

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004, at Bricelyn Lutheran Church in Bricelyn. Officiating clergy will be Rev. Ed Nieman and Rev. Patricia Hinkie. Visitation will be held at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Bricelyn on Wednesday, Sept. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m., and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment will be at Bricelyn Lutheran Cemetery in Seely Township, Faribault County, with Military Honors by the Bricelyn American Legion Post.

John Risius was born on Nov. 22, 1947, in Albert Lea, the son of Harry and Evelyn (Hoffman) Risius. He graduated from Bricelyn High School in 1965 and the University of Minnesota in 1969. He was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1976 where he was an A6 pilot and flight instructor. He married Bonnie Rosvold on June 27, 1970, in St. Stephen Lutheran Church in West St. Paul.

He returned to Bricelyn in 1976 where he began farming and joined his father in working at Risius Implement. He continued flying and has spent the past 20 years flying for McNeilus Trucking

and Midwest Aviation.

John was a member and past commander of the Bricelyn American Legion and a lifetime member of Bricelyn Lutheran Church. He adored his family and loved listening to flight stories from his two sons who followed in his footsteps and became aviators. He will be missed by family and friends during skiing and sailing vacations and by his dog &uot;Remi&uot; during the hunting season. John will be remembered by all the wonderful creations that came from his woodworking shop. His humor, good-natured personality and caring demeanor will be missed by all.

He is survived by his wife,

Bonnie Risius of Bricelyn; three children: Betsy and husband Brian Jensen of Stephen, Minn., David Risius of Seoul, South Korea, and Adam Risius of Marshall, Minn.; two grandchildren: Conner and Holly Jensen of Stephen, Minn.; parents: Harry and Evelyn Risius of Bricelyn; three sisters: Pam and husband Donnie Trent of Okeechobee, Fla.,

Dianne and husband Bob Coughlin of Belgrade, Mont., and Jeanne and husband Dwaine Bruns of Avon, Minn.; parents-in-law: Harlan and Joyce Rosvold of Cumberland, Wis.; sisters-in-law: Dawn Rosvold of

White Bear Lake, Minn., and Vickie Hart of Eagan, Minn.; brothers-in-law: Greg and wife Jan Rosvold of West St. Paul, Todd and wife Sue Rosvold of

Barron, Wis. and Steve and wife Pat Rosvold of Vancouver, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews and so many good friends

He was preceded in death by his infant brother, David, and his grandparents.