Ralph Joseph Ryan

Ralph Ryan, 84, of Savannah, MO, formerly of Waukon, IA, died Friday, December 11, 2015, at La Verna Village Nursing and Rehab in Savannah. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 16th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Rev. Msgr. Cletus Hawes and Fr. Donald Hawes officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call one hour before the services at the church on Wednesday. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Ralph Joseph Ryan was born August 3, 1931, in Waukon, IA, the son of John and Catherine (Liddiard) Ryan. He attended school through the 8th grade until he had to quit to take care of the family farm. From 1956-58, Ralph served in the United States Army during the Korean War, holding the rank of Private First Class. Ralph returned home and started farming. On October 5, 1963, he married Shirley Welper. Ralph farmed until he was 50 years old then, for 23 years, worked as a truck driver; due to health reasons, Ralph was forced to retire. He was currently engaged to Barbara Duncan. Ralph loved to read and was an avid walker. He also had an interest in trucks and antique farm equipment, including horse drawn equipment.

He is survived by his fiancée Barbara Duncan of Savannah, MO; his three children: Jerry Ryan, Gregg (Kim) Ryan, and Mary (Jay) Ryan Roberts; five grandchildren: Derick, Rachael, and Abby Ryan, Aaron and Nick Kiley; seven great-grandchildren: Erica, Zach, Tucker, Brady, Jace, Cooper, and Nia Kiley; his sister Rose Ryan; and a brother Ray Ryan. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Shirley who died in 1996.

Casketbearers are Derick Ryan, Jay Roberts, and Nick, Tucker, Aaron, and Zach Kiley.