Richard E. Dryden

Richard E. Dryden, 57, of South Sioux City, NE; passed away on Thursday, September 20, 2007, at a local hospital. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2007, from 4-8 p.m. with the family present from 5-8 p.m. A vigil will then begin at 6:00 p.m. all at St. Michaels Catholic Church in South Sioux City, NE. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 24, 2007, at St. Michaels Catholic Church in South Sioux City, with Reverend Dan Wittrock celebrating. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Michaels Cemetery also in South Sioux City. Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

R.D. was born on July 18, 1950 in Sioux City, Iowa to Jack and Beth (St. George) Dryden. He grew up and attended South Sioux City schools, graduating in 1968. R.D. then attended Wayne State College for 2 years where he played football.

R.D. was drafted into the United States Army in 1970. He served in Germany for 2 years before being honorably discharged in 1972.

Upon his return to South Sioux City, he worked at Dryden Heating and Plumbing for several years before joining Burlington ~ Northern Railroad in 1977, where he was an engineer when he retired in 2003.

On February 2, 1980, R.D. married Paula Demke at the Church of the Nativity in Sioux City.

He was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan and of course his beloved Huskers. He enjoyed playing cribbage, shooting pool and fishing. R.D. also loved watching his children compete in football and baseball. He was a member of St. Michaels Catholic Church in South Sioux City, NE.

Survivors include his wife, Paula of South Sioux City, 5 children, Heather Cook and her husband Troy of Port Washington, MD; Justin Dryden and his son Tyson and fianc Tina Lutterman, Cody Dryden, Tiffany Dryden, and Michael Dryden all of South Sioux City. Two brothers, David D. Dryden and his wife Patricia of Las Cruses, N.M.; James Dryden and his wife Teri of South Sioux City, and two sisters, Maureen Graves and her husband Tom of Omaha, NE; and Deb Isaacson of South Sioux City. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Margaret Demke and 4 sisters-in-law, Peggy Demke, Patricia Rauch, Penny Vitito and her husband Greg, and Pam Helms and her husband Bill, numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

R.D. was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Jack Jr., a nephew Shane Dryden and his father-in-law, Willie Demke.