Elanor Evelyn Ryan's Obituary
A beautiful soul is celebrating in pure joy with her late husband Wilfred (Bill) Ryan, daughter Linda Ryan Johnson, son William (Bill) Ryan, parents George and Elizabeth Doerr, brother Raymond Doerr and many loved family and friends.
Left behind with broken hearts are, her son Joseph(Joe) Ryan, Daughter Mary Ryan Hill, husband Joseph(Joe) Hill Jr, 8 grandchildren and 11 great grand children. The one constant thing in life is the love she had for each and everyone of us.
Mom's life was devoted to her family, she once told me the way to a man's heart is though his stomach, she lived by these words as she loved cooking and baking for her family and friends. If the doorbell rang she would turn on the oven before she even answered the door and her guests would have fresh hot cookies within a few minutes. Family dinners were more of a smorgasbord board than anything else, there was never just one main dish, she feared that someone wouldn't like the main meat course so would make at least two with lots of side dishes and always deserts ...When not cooking meals she would be busy in the kitchen canning vegetables from her garden, or making pickles, pies, and jam...Next to her garden she loved being in the kitchen.
Born in Java South Dakota 9/24/23, then moved to Bowdle South Dakota where she went to school. Parents George and Elizabeth Doerr, Sisters Billie Lary, Tina Fergason, Tillie Deluca, brothers Norman Doerr, Lloyd Doerr, passed previously Raymond Doerr and Rubin Doerr.
Married Wilfred Dunn Ryan and after a few moves settled in Tacoma Washington where they raised their family of four. Linda Marie (Ryan) Johnson[Paul], William(Bill) Michael Ryan, Joseph(Joe)Patrick Ryan, and Mary Ryan Hill[Joe Jr]
Grandchildren Jim Johnson [Amy], Debbie Cade [Shelby]. Wilfred Ryan, Jason Ryan[Shannon], Dan Ryan,Wendy Meyer[Jeff], Lacey Gumaer [Will]
Nichole Wyland [Matt Gentile]
Great Grandchildren Morgan Fjeldseth [Zakk], Hannah Cade, Alyssa Cade, Kinsey Cade, Spencer Ryan, Jessica Ryan, Tabitha Ryan, Madison Ryan, Garrett Meyer, Gabriel Meyer and Matthew Wyland
Mom retired from Safeway stores after 34 years, where she was a checker and flower dept. manager. After Dad passed she sold the big house and moved to Tahoma Terrace where she made many card loving friends over the 20 years she lived there.
A little over a year ago mom moved into Jason and Shannon Ryan's home, where she lived very happily and well taken care of, she passed in her own room peacefully surrounded with love at age 94. We feel blessed that Jason, Shannon and Maddy (Madison) took on the task of being her care givers. I hadn't seen mom smile so much for years, she was never alone and there was nothing but love and care around her daily. A perfect ending to a life that gave so much to others
We are thankful mom lived a long life and gave us all the foundation to know what true 'love of family' means. No matter what was going on in our own life, we always had mom/gramma to come to for unconditional love.
I'm sure I can speak for the entire family that a little of mom will live in our hearts forever.
What’s your fondest memory of Elanor?
What’s a lesson you learned from Elanor?
Share a story where Elanor's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Elanor you’ll never forget.
How did Elanor make you smile?