Betty Ann Ryder

Betty A. Ryder, 81, of Waukon, IA, died Sunday, December 17, 2017, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 21st; at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus, Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg, and Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at St. Pius Cherry Mound Cemetery, rural Harpers Ferry, IA. Friends may call from 3:00 PM-7:00 PM Wednesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:00 PM scripture service.

Betty Ann Ryder was born August 8, 1936, in Waukon, IA. She was the third child of William and Catherine (Ryan) Ryder. Betty was baptized and confirmed at St. Pius Cherry Mound Catholic Church in rural Harpers Ferry, IA. She grew up in rural Waterville, IA, and graduated from Waterville High School in 1954.

She is survived by Sister Mary Bosco Ryder, a beloved sister who lives at Mount St. Francis in Dubuque, IA. Betty is also survived by her very dear friend and sister-in-law Janette Ryder-Blong, with whom she lived with since the year she graduated from high school at 18 years of age. Betty was a wonderful aunt who gave the love of a mother to all of her family. She is also survived by her nieces: Barbara (Wayne) Winters-Kelly, Patty (Steve) Scholtes, Cathy (Keith) Dahlstrom, Joan (Danny) Lyons, Charlene (Jim) Baxter, Mary (Steve) Engrav, Peggy (Curt) Reiser, and Donna (Rich) Kelly; her nephews: Bill Ryder and Tom Ryder; many great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Betty was a very supportive, caring, loving, and kind person all throughout her life. She was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. All throughout Betty's life, she enjoyed holding every new baby as the family grew. Many summers were spent riding in Betty's '67 Cougar to the cabin in Lansing, IA, along with great boat rides to the sandbar with lots of family fun. She also enjoyed watching the activities of all of her nieces, nephews, and great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, a Waukon Indians fan, and Kee High Fan of the Year. Betty was an active member of St. Patrick Catholic Church who would never miss mass. She held a special place in her heart for her godchildren: Barbara Winters-Kelly, Maureen Monroe, Nancy Fahey, and Donald Ryder. Betty was proud to be 100% Irish and enjoyed celebrating her heritage, especially on Saint Patrick's Day when she rode in the Irish Express with her family and friends.

Betty enjoyed playing cards for hours at a time, particularly when she won, which was most of the time. She took great pleasure in playing pool with her family at home, and being on Pool League, where she won many trophies for her abilities. Betty spent time doing cross stitch and embroidery, making many quilts for the new babies in the family. Betty delighted in traveling with her family members to many places including California, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean. Special trips with family members often included going to the dog and horse tracks, where she was very lucky. Nothing could top spending time with her family. She also enjoyed being with her good friend Barbara Smith.

Betty worked various jobs including being a telephone operator, a bartender at Red Ryder's Tavern, Northern Engraving, and B.E. Catered.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents William and Catherine; her brother Donald Ryder; her brother-in-law Gerald Blong; and nephew-in-law Dennis Winters.

Honorary casketbearers are Krista Winters Rasque, Tara Lyons Stein, Shelly Lyons Valley, Alana Lyons Gavin, Jamie Baxter Phipps, Morgan Baxter Weymiller, and Dawanda Ryder. Casketbearers are Heath, Jared, and Corey Winters, Brody Baxter, Justin Lyons, Nic, Ryan, and Jeremy Engrav, and Donald, Eric, and Zac Ryder.