Ryan Barg

Ryan Barg, 34, of Knife River, died on Saturday, March 3, 2018.

Ryan was born June 18, 1983 to Ronald and Joni (Lundstrom) Barg in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.  Ryan attended high school in Anoka, MN, where he enjoyed playing golf, baseball, and hockey, graduating in 2001.  Ryan then attended UMD in Duluth, specializing in business.  Ryan worked in the hospitality business for 10 plus years, in Colorado, Grand Superior Lodge on the North Shore, Thunderbird and Sha Sha in International Falls, and even spent a few months on the island of St. John’s.  Folks always commented that Ryan made them feel special as he was always interested in their day.  He also worked as a Service Advisor at Sonju in Two Harbors and passed both his Real Estate and Insurance licenses.

Ryan’s special companion over the past five years was his dog “Trigger”.  He could be seen hiking with Trigger around the North Shore Trails, and around Lake Superior.  He and Trigger were inseparable.

Ryan thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors.  He and Trigger loved hunting grouse at the hunting shack, as Ryan taught Trigger to be a great retriever.  He also enjoyed deer hunting with his dad each year.  Ryan’s ideal “Fishing Adventure” was casting for muskies on the Little Fork River.  Ryan enjoyed the many trips with relatives, Uncle Mike and Roe and Jim Treat.  We always commented that Ryan would outcast us 5-1.  I can see him today standing at the front of our 12’ aluminum boat casting and catching muskies.

Ryan also had a passion for music, with one his favorites being “Old Country”.  He knew the name of every artist and title when the song played.  Ryan also enjoyed “Cabin Time” at Lake Kabetogama with family and friends.  Music was always playing when Ryan was around.  He loved camp fires, playing cribbage, and exploring the lake.  Ryan also loved watching the Twins and Wild games and collecting driftwood and agates at the Knife River Beach shoreline, many samples are on display at our Knife River home.

Finally, Ryan was a special young man who had a wit and a special way of verbalizing words that was unique and interesting, which will be missed.  He loved his family and we loved him and he will be in our hearts forever.

He is survived by his parents, Ron and Joni Barg of Knife River and sister, Briana Barg of Minneapolis; grandmother, Leona Utter and numerous relatives.

In honoring Ryan and his family’s wishes, no formal services will be held. The family will have a gathering in the spring at Lake Kabetogama celebrating Ryan’s life.  His ashes will be spread around the Knife River/Lake Superior shoreline, Lake Kabetogama, and the family hunting shack in Northern Minnesota.

A special thank you to Ryan’s Aunt Jane, and Scott Smith and family for helping Ryan and for their support and comfort to our family at this difficult time. They have also volunteered to take Trigger into their home in honor of Ryan.

Memorials in Ryan’s name are preferred to the Knife River Recreation Center, PO Box 266 Knife River, MN 55609.