General Information
Full Name: Eugene William Ryan
Date of Birth: April 18, 1925
Date of Death: January 3, 2014
Gene’s life story
Gene Ryan
At the age of 88, Eugene William Ryan entered God’s arms, the morning of Friday, January 3, 2014, at his home in Prior Lake, MN. All services will be held at the Church of St. Michael, 16311 Duluth Avenue, Prior Lake. Family will greet guests on Tuesday, January 7, from 4-7 pm and one hour prior to the Mass. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, January 8 at 11 am. Father Tom Sieg will preside. Gene will be laid to rest next to his wife at St. Michael Cemetery in Prior Lake with full military honors provided by the Prior Lake V.F.W. Honor Guard.
On Saturday, April 18, 1925, on the family farm in Jordan, MN, Gene was born to parents Joseph and Catherine (O’Neill) Ryan. He was the fifth of seven children. Gene’s love of horses began during childhood and continued through life. He “never saw a horse he couldn’t ride”. He attended Jordan High School where he participated in Golden Glove Boxing and went on to represent the school at the State Tournament. He graduated in 1942.
Gene proudly served in the United States Army during WWII. After his discharge from the service, he attended the Minneapolis Business College. He met Mary Lee Walz on a blind date, and they married on June 5, 1948, in St. Paul, MN. For 33 years, Gene worked at Continental Machines as a tool and die maker and later as a foreman. He and Mary Lee were very blessed with 9 children. In their earlier years, they loved to attend big band dances and play cards with friends and family. In later years, Gene and Mary Lee enjoyed travel and camping with family.
Gene enjoyed tending his vegetable garden and maintaining his lawn. He had a special love for tractors and cars. He also enjoyed cheering on the Prior Lake Jay’s Baseball Team as well as the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After retirement he joined the garage sale circuit and was quite proud of his bargaining capability. His greatest joys were his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He will be remembered as a proud Irishman who was never wrong. Gene is survived by: Diana (Gary) Langwell of Lincolnwood, IL, Debbie (Duane) Dehler of Blaine, Deni-Jo (Bill) Dau of Prior Lake, Russ (Jean) Ryan of Altoona, WI, Rick (Denise) Ryan of Shakopee, Shawn (Tony) Simon of Mahtomedi, Jean (Scott) Broman of Woodbury, Mary Kay (Frank) Snee of Brooklyn Park, Mark (Kathleen) Ryan of Eagan; 21 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brother-in-laws, Pat Doherty Sr. of Plymouth, Walter (Marilyn) Walz of Grayslake, IL; sister-in-law, Pat (Bud) Lawrence of Graylake, IL; other loving relatives and devoted friends.
Gene is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lee; parents, Joseph and Catherine; siblings, Mary Doherty, Helen (Emmett) McCue, Joseph “Bud” (Ann Mae) Ryan, Billy Ryan, Kathleen (Robert) Spielman, Therese Ryan.
Pall bearers for Gene will be his grandsons, Tony Dehler, Justin Langwell, Christopher Ryan, Jack Ryan, Kyle Simon, Jack Snee, Joe Snee, Ryan Snee, Russell Snee, and John Vallez.
Memorials preferred and will be distributed in Gene’s memory by the family.
The Ryan family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Prior Lake Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
Visitation
When: Tuesday, January 7, 2014, 4-7 pm
Location: Church of St Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave Se
Prior Lake, MN 55372
and also one hour prior the service on Wednesday
Service Information
When: Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 11:00 am
Location: Church of St Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave Se
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Interment
St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery
Prior Lake, Minnesota
