William Ryan Obituary
The funeral mass for William “Bill” R. Ryan was Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, West Albany in rural Millville, MN, with Father Joseph P. Pete officiating. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, West Albany.
Mr. Ryan, 83, of Lake City and formerly of Millville, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 26, at Mayo Clinic Health System – Lake City Hospital in Lake City.
William Richard Ryan was born Dec. 12, 1931 at the family farm in Millville to William and Edith (Lutz) Ryan. He attended elementary school in Millville, and graduated from Plainview High School in 1950 with a college football scholarship to Grand Forks, N.D. College, but he chose to continue to operate the family farm. On Oct. 6, 1952 he married Lela “Jeanette” Johnson at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in West Albany.
Bill farmed and owned and operated Ryan Bin Sales. He served as trustee for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for many years along with serving 45 years on the Hyde Park Township Board. He enjoyed riding his horse Ben in the 1976 Bicentennial Wagon Train. He loved to hunt especially coon hunting as he was known as the “Coon," and liked hunting rattle snakes. Bill enjoyed music, played golf, was a golden glove boxer, and a sports fan, but mostly an avid Twins fan. He always insisted on playing a game of cards with family and friends. Bill loved spending time with his family, and especially enjoyed taking time to spend with all of his grandchildren.
Bill is survived by four daughters, Kathy (Joe) Myer of Lake City; Mary Jo Briggs, Patty (Mark) Leonard, and Charlotte (Scott) Becklund, all of Millville; two sons, Richard (Kim) Ryan of Mazeppa, and Bill (Nancy) Ryan, of Millville; 27 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; nine great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Judy Kay Russell of Minneapolis, and Jane (David) Gjerdingen of St. Paul; and one brother, Robert (Ann) Ryan of Rochester. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jeanette on Dec. 4, 2014, one sister, MaryLou Beckman, three brothers, Frank, Jim, and Jerome, one granddaughter, Kari, and two sons-in-law, Bob Schmidt and Larry Briggs.
Friends and family may visit from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, West Albany in rural Millville, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Family prefers memorials to St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery Fund.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel, Lake City. Guest register may be signed online at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.