General Information
Full Name: Germaine Barbara Ryan
Date of Birth: August 24, 1922
Date of Death: March 1, 2014
Germaine’s Lifestory
Germaine Barbara Ryan
A resident of Prior Lake, Germaine Barbara Ryan, age 91, entered eternal peace early Saturday morning, March 1, 2014, at Friendship Manor in Shakopee, MN. The visitation will be on Monday March 3rd, from 4:00-7:00pm and Tuesday March 4th from 12 noon to 1:00pm, all at the Church of St. Michael, Prior Lake. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, March 4 at 1:00pm, at the Church of St. Michael, Prior Lake. Father Tom Sieg will preside. Germaine will be laid to rest next to her husband, Bill and son Thomas at St. Michael Catholic cemetery in Prior Lake, MN.
On August 24, 1922, in Spring Lake Township, MN Germaine Barbara Boehmer was born to parents Gregor and Ida (Sand) Boehmer. She was the middle child of three girls. Growing up in Spring Lake Township she worked hard helping her parents run the farm. She later graduated from Shakopee High School.
In her early adult days she and her girlfriends loved to attend dances at the Spring Lake Pavilion. One night at a dance, this is where she met Lawrence “Bill” Ryan. After a period of dating, they were married October 23, 1948 at the Church of St. Michael, Prior Lake. They were blessed with four sons; Thomas, David, Dennis, and John.
She was a dedicated homemaker looking after not only her own kids, but watching many of the neighbor kids including sometimes cooking their meals. Her pride was in her home, and she kept it pristine.
On St. Patrick’s Day, 1970, the world fell out from under Germaine as her and her family learned of the death of their son Tom in the Vietnam War. Life was renewed later as her grandchildren were born. She was a Gold Star Mother.
One of her and Bill’s proudest moments was when the City of Prior Lake honored their son Thomas and dedicated Ryan Park in his honor. They spent many hours in the park, watching children doing activities while thinking of their son Tom.
She was known to be kind, generous, hardworking, and a devout Catholic. Her and Bill always attended church in the same pew each week. There was never a night where Germaine didn’t recite the Rosary before bed.
Germaine loved to shop at the malls with her granddaughters on Saturdays. Often times, these purchases were returned on the following day from the liking of her husband Bill.
She is survived by her children, Dave (Jill) Ryan of Prior Lake, Dennis Ryan of Prior Lake, John (Fiance Sharon) Ryan of Prior Lake; grandchildren, Jennifer (Dr. Jon) Cooper, Katie (Ryan)Stockman, Lynn (Dean) Pieper, Amanda Ryan, Tyler Ryan; great-Grandchildren, Kyla, Kade, Grace, Poppy.
Germaine is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence “Bill” Ryan; Son, Thomas Ryan, Parents, Gregor and Ida Boehmer; Siblings, Georgette Hergott, Grace Scherer.
Casket bearers will be Dave Ryan, Denny Ryan, John Ryan, Bob Schmokel, Dean Pieper, Ryan Stockman, and Dr. John Cooper.
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: Monday, March 3, 2014 4 till 7pm
Location: Church of St. Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Service Information
When: Tuesday, March 4, 2014, 1:00 pm
Location: Church of St. Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Interment
St. Michael Catholic Cemetery
Prior Lake, MN
