Ryan Michael Nunberg

Ryan Michael Nunberg, age 51 of Wibaux, Montana passed away on Friday, December 30, 2022 in Beach, North Dakota. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at St. John's Catholic Church in Beach with Visitation one hour prior. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 6, 2023 at St. John's Catholic Church with Fr. Dan Berg officiating. Rite of Committal will be held at the Wibaux County Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home of Beach has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Ryan Michael Nunberg was born May 15th, 1971, in Glendive, MT, to Joyce and Gary Nunberg. He lived in Wibaux, MT for the first 10 ½ years of his life and attended school halfway through the 5th Grade. In January 1982, he moved to Beach and graduated from Beach High School in 1989.
On June 6th, 1992, Ryan and Kimberly Messman married. They were married for twenty-three years and raised three beautiful children: Morgan, Marshall and Madilyn "Madi". In 1997, Ryan and his father, Gary Nunberg, opened AutoTech, a business the two of them would run until Ryan's passing.
As a dad, there is no doubt that Ryan will be remembered as caring and supportive, but his three children will be quick to tell you that it was his pranksterish humor and daredevil approach to parenting that made him "Dad". Nothing brought bigger laughs and smiles to Ryan's face than Morgan, Marshall, or Madilyn falling for his pranks, only to be laughing along with him moments later. And nothing brought out more joy in Ryan's heart (or concern from their mother) than when Ryan successfully egged-on his children to go faster on the four-wheeler pulled sleds in the winter, or to climb a steeper hill with the dirt bike in the summer. Ryan, like any other dad, wanted to see his kids succeed in the endeavors of their choosing. But more than that, Ryan wanted his children to go through life unafraid, willing to take the risks that animate the spirit and bring it to life, all the while teaching them that they should never take themselves too seriously--that it was okay to laugh at themselves and one another, as long as it was done in love.
At home, Ryan loved to snuggle on the couch with his kids to watch movies and follow the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers seasons with a near religious devotion. Football was something the whole family could rally around on Sundays. Yet, when it came to watching movies together, this was enjoyed much less by his children, as his choice in movies was, well, very Ryan, and his ability to quote entire movies like Tombstone left the kids much preferring to watch TV with their mother. Ryan, again like all dads, became dad-level furious (that almost comical fury that in the moment is a bit scary, but leaves kids laughing together at their dad's expense years later) at some very superficial things such as when the kids misplaced the remote, put a near empty gallon of milk back in the fridge, asked how many miles were left in the trip, left a window open when the air conditioner was on, ate all the snacks in the cupboard in two days rather than a week, misplaced his comb before Sunday mass (although there was not much to comb in the first place), or jammed their feet into their shoes rather than tying them because "it would wreck the heel!" This was a common occurrence. Ryan's family was his pride, especially his three kids and grandchild, Liam. It was not uncommon to hear Ryan bragging and telling stories about family to strangers, whether they were interested or not. Sometimes it was this, more than money, that was the price of doing business at AutoTech.
In his personal life, Ryan had deep passions for grease, hunting, and his Irish Setter, Jules. Anyone who knew Ryan also knew that putting a car back on the road, tracking down a buck, or hanging out with his dog brought him great joy. In his last moments, Ryan was at his auto-shop working on cars. For Ryan, there was perhaps not a more appropriate place for him to be at his passing. He built his life in his shop and that was where he would leave it.
Ryan was a great dad and a personality the communities of Beach and Wibaux enjoyed for so many years, but he was not without his struggles. Those of us who knew Ryan also knew that his journey to sobriety--its ups and its downs--played a serious role in defining the last decade of Ryan's life. For all of us who loved Ryan, it was a journey that we joined daily, offering our commendations on the bright days and our words of support on the dark ones. Today, we are here to remember Ryan not by the trials and tribulations he faced, but by the ways he enriched our lives, whether as family members, friends, loyal customers, and perhaps even strangers. May the Divine give us the grace to accept Ryan as he was, in all moments of his life, the humility to accept that we, just like him, are all too human, and the strength to move forward after the loss of Ryan.
Ryan is preceded in death by his mother, Joyce (1948-2002).
Ryan is survived by his three loving kids, Morgan of Grafton, ND, Marshall of Taipei, Taiwan, and Madilyn of Bismarck, ND, as well as one grandson, Liam (Morgan), of Grafton; his father, Gary of Wibaux; his brothers, Britt of Wibaux and Nate (Toni) of Billings, and his sisters, Tahnee of Beach and Kylie (Michael) Mahoney of Billings.
His family would like to send thanks to Beach Ambulance Crew, Corbin with Golden Valley Co. Sheriff's Department, and all first responders who worked tirelessly to assist. We'd also like to thank the entire Beach and Wibaux communities for the amazing support provided to Ryan and his family throughout the years.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up with First State Bank of Golva, in Beach. The Vigil Service and Mass of Christian Burial will be live-streamed on the Tri-Parish Facebook page. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.
~~~"Heaven is closer than those tears on your face
When the purple rain falls
We're all bathed in its grace
Heaven's for those who let go of regret
And you have to wait here when you're not all there yet
And if your broken heart's heavy when you step on the scale
You'll be lighter than air when they pull back the veil
Consider the flowers, they don't try to look right
They just open their petals and turn to the light
Are you listening real close?
Heaven's not that, it's this
It's the depth of this moment
You don't reach for bliss
God knows life is chaos
But He made one thing true
You gotta unwind your mind
Train your soul to align
And dance 'til you find that divine boogaloo
In other words
You gotta be Heaven to see Heaven
May peace be with you."
With love,
MN~~~~