Joe Ryan

Joe Ryan, age 96 of Gaylord and formerly of Green Isle passed away July 13, 2019 at Oak Terrace Health Care of Gaylord.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 19th at St. Brendan Catholic Church in Green Isle.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until Mass time at the church on Friday.  Interment will be in St. Brendan Catholic Cemetery at a later date.  Kolden Funeral Home in Arlington is handling the arrangements.

Joe was born on July 16, 1922 in Jessenland Township, Sibley County to John “Jack” and Kathryn “Kitty” (Kiernan) Ryan.  He married Rita Magner on February 12, 1945 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Joe and Rita lived on and farmed the Ryan family farm in Jessenland Township until they moved to assisted living in Gaylord in 2012. He also worked at Eaton Corporation in Eden Prairie for 20 years. Joe loved horses and dogs, telling stories from the past and visiting with everybody. Joe also supported the Democratic Party his entire life. He is preceded in death by his wife Rita, son Michael, grandson Jason, great granddaughter MaKaila, parents, parents-in-law Mike and Esther Magner, sister Jeanette Weldon, brothers-in-law John Weldon, Jim Nolan, Mike “Bud” Magner, John Magner, Pete Campbell and sister-in-law Helen Campbell.   Joe is survived by his sons Jack (Louise) Ryan of Woodbury, Pat Ryan(sp. friend Darlene Weckwerth) of Green Isle, Terry (Janelle) Ryan of Gaylord, daughters Maureen (Fred) Bullert of Gaylord, Sheila (Rich) Henke of Arlington, Joann (Ron) Wickenhauser of Cologne, 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, one great great grandson, sisters-in-law Mary Nolan, Francis Magner and Leona Magner and many nieces and nephews.

Serving as casket bearers for the funeral are Joe’s grandsons, Jeff Ryan, John Ryan, Sean Ryan, Jim Ryan, Ryan Henke, and Connor Wickenhauser.