Ronald “Ronnie” Ryan, age 86, of Harmony, Minn., passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Iowa.
Ronald Charles Ryan was born May 10, 1936, in rural Cresco, Iowa, to Joseph and Madeline (Hauber) Ryan. Ronnie attended country schools and graduated from Harmony High School. Ronnie grew up farming with his folks. He continued farming for many years, while raising his five sons and daughter (from a previous marriage).
On February 8, 1981, he married Elaine Harvey. The couple continued farming until their retirement in 1986, at which time they moved to Harmony. Ronnie then began working road construction and started as a delivery driver for the TLC Company.
Upon retirement they started making memories traveling together. Their travels took them to Ireland, Alaska, New York and many other destinations. They enjoyed taking trips to Las Vegas and an occasional stop at the local casinos for a little gambling.
Ronnie purchased a John Deere B tractor and with the help of his family, together they built a parade wagon. They enjoyed participating in many parades filling the wagon with grandkids and great-grandkids.
Ronnie loved spending time with his family and friends. He found great joy in watching his family grow. Together they shared many wonderful memories, precious memories that will be cherished forever.
Survivors include his wife Elaine of 42 years, five sons: Terry (Rhonda), Randy (Danette), John (Sue), Mark (Michele) and David (Tracy); step-daughter Randeen (Bryan) Wagner, 22 grandkids, 57 great-grandkids, a brother, Gary Ryan of Phoenix, Ariz., aa sister, Sharon (Richard) Otteson of Stewartville, Minn., three brothers-in-law: Duane (Donna deceased) Harvey, Marlin (Cheryl) Harvey and David (Linda) Harvey; sisters-in-law Linda (Gene) Huhe and Faye Harvey, aunt Eileen Sbiral and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, mother- and father-in-law Warren and Inez Harvey, daughter Sheryl Ryan, infant son Joseph Ryan, sister Dorothy Ryan, stepchildren Roxanne Engle, Rodney Halverson and Ricky Halverson; grandson Tony Courtney and two brothers-in-law, Ronald and Norman Harvey.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 8, 2023 at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco. Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, May 7, 2023, at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Cresco, Iowa. There will be no visitation prior to services at the church on Monday morning. Lindstrom Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
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