James Thomas Cyson

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of James Thomas Cyson. Jim fought a brave battle of dementia. He passed away on December 22, 2024.

Jim was the third child of John and Ruth E. (Groves) Cyson (Nee: Czysczon). He was born on November 15, 1947.

Raised between Minneapolis and Albert Lea, Jim graduated from Albert Lea High School in June of 1966. The following Autumn he enrolled at Mankato State University. After receiving his BS degree in Psychology and Sociology in December of 1970, he went into the military to serve two years. He was stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany, where he worked as a travel correspondent for the U. S. Army newspaper: The Stars & Stripes. After his honorable discharge, Jim returned to Mankato to work on his Master’s Degree. After completing his Master’s course work, he began working at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – St. Cloud. Jim’s roommate at the time introduced him to his future wife: Karen Marie Bystrom. They married in May 1978, and had two children during their 25 year marriage.

Jim worked at the prison for 24 years, starting out as a prison corrections officer and retiring as a career case worker. He qualified for an early retirement and decided to bid his career goodbye and move on.

After retirement, Jim fulfilled a lifelong goal of visiting Alaska. With older brother, Greg, he set out for an adventure of a lifetime. Jim would talk about this odyssey for the rest of his life. A few years after that, Jim also wanted to visit Poland, from which his paternal grandparents had emigrated. He was so proud of that heritage that he engaged in finding information about his grandparents and later, wrote a biography of his father’s father: John Joseph Czyszczon.

During retirement, Jim honed his writing skills by enrolling in a writer’s class. He last worked on a novel that explored his experiences at the reformatory.

By 2022, Jim’s dementia progressed, and he was not able to care for himself. He went into a memory care facility in northern Minnesota. His son, Daniel, has been a constant care-taker until his recent passing.

Preceded in death by his parents: John J. Cyson and Ruth E. Cyson, Stepmother: Edith Cyson. Siblings: Karinca Cyzon, and Gregory Cyson.

Survived by children: Elizabeth Rhea Cyson and Daniel James Cyson (Jodi Carlson). Siblings: Tudi (Daryl) Pitman and Timothy S. Cyson; nieces and nephews: Angela, Alina and Justin Pitman, John Ewart-Cyzon.

Jim was also very proud of his adopted daughter-in-law: Jodi and her two daughters: Ava and Ahnna. These two girls were his pride and joy and he attended their schools/sports activities all through their growing years and now during their college studies.

The family would like to thank the staff at Edgewood Vista, particularly Janae and Janelle.

No memorial services at present, His close family will have a private ceremony at a later date. His remains will be buried at Fort Snelling.