Ryan Whitt
October 31, 2015
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Service Details
Ryan Whitt, 27, was born March 20, 1988, in Evanston, Illinois, to Jeff and Karen Whitt. He passed away on October 31, 2015, in Ankeny, Iowa.
Ryan loved his country. He willingly and selflessly fulfilled his duty to his country by enlisting in the Iowa Army National Guard, serving in Afghanistan. He was proud of his military service and military brothers.
Ryan was an avid reader. He loved the outdoors, hunting and shooting, and was a University of Kentucky Wildcat basketball fan.
Ryan had a generous and giving soul. He was a loyal friend, almost to a fault, and anyone could count on him in times of need. Ryan never met a stranger and had a compassionate heart towards those who were often overlooked.
Above all else, he cherished his family, especially his wife, Elizabeth. Ryan was a devoted and dedicated husband whose life’s passion was to care for his wife.
Ryan is survived by his loving wife, Liz; parents, Jeff and Karen Whitt; siblings, Taylor, Alec, and Caeleigh; his paternal grandma, June Whitt; paternal grandparents, Art and Vera Krampe; father and mother-in-law, Jeff and Shelli Larson; brother-in-law, Rob Larson; many aunts, uncles, other loving family, military brothers and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his sibling, baby Madison; and grandfather, Bill Whitt.
Visitation will be held Thursday evening, November 5, 2015, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., at Westchester Evangelical Free Church, 4919 Aurora Avenue in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2015, at the church. Interment with military honors will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, IA.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Ryan.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Mary and Herb Richey
11/16/2015
We are friends of Ryan's grandma and uncle in Lexington KY. We are deeply saddened and send you our sincere sympathy.
Steve & Marla Smith
11/06/2015
Jeff and Karen. We want to extend our deepest sympathies to you at this time. We can't imagine the heartache and pain you are experiencing at this time of great loss. We pray that you and your family will know the love of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus, and the abiding communion of the Spirit. We mourn for you and with you and want you to know you are in our prayers. In Christ's love, Steve and Marla
Sue Albers
11/06/2015
I am so sorry for loss, may you find peace in knowing that you are not alone in your suffering.
Jana and Jeff
11/06/2015
Jeff and Karen
Our sincere sympathies to you all. It's unnatural to lose a child - hard to understand and accept - and I pray that God will help you find peace. We mourn with you from afar, but keep you close in our hearts and always in our prayers. Much love to you all and to Liz.
Scott Van De Berg
11/06/2015
Jeff, and Karen,
I had Ryan in Cadets many years ago, but remember him well. He was a fun person to be around, and everything he did was done with enthusiasm, and a big old smile. He was kind, easy going, and extremely friendly, and someone you appreciated knowing. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
Linda Brown
11/05/2015
I never met Ryan, nor any members of the Whitt Family other than Jeff, but do know what it is to lose someone you love. To each of you: Mother, Father, Wife, Brothers, Sister, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends- I pray that God's peace will rest with you, and His love will enfold and comfort you today and in each of the coming day's. I also pray that you will find happiness in remembering all the wonderful ways Ryan blessed your lives. In Him,
Linda (Bonnie's sister)
Conor Evans
11/05/2015
Ryan was a good friend of mine throughout college. We lived together twice, and in that time Ryan showed me how strong willed and selfless he was. He embodied a certain character that made you look at yourself and ask what can I do to be more like this? Family was of the upmost importance to him. He would do anything for his family. His time spent in the service mirrored this as well. He found great pride in continuing another generation where a member of his family served this country. He taught me that respect is not given but earned by our actions everyday. I have the utmost respect for Ryan and I will never forget his kind heart and warm smile. Im deeply saddened by his death and although I cannot attend the services I will celebrate Ryans life and death everyday. All my love and prayers go out to Liz and his family, I cannot imagine the pain this has caused you. Ryan will truly be missed.
Charity Burkhart
11/05/2015
Ryan, I remember bringing Haven over to see you and Liz and you were so sweet with her. You always made everyone feel welcomed and loved. I'm so thankful that I had the chance get to know you.
Thank you for serving our country, I know you heard that a lot but you went above and beyond service before self. You made sure that your brothers and sisters in arms were taken care of, always encouraging them.
We love you Liz, and we will continue to pray for you daily.
Susan Devig
11/05/2015
Dear Pastor Jeff and Karen, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I fondly remember Ryan as a child around 18 years ago at Madrid EFC. You led me to Christ and I will never forget your love for Jesus and the salvation of others.
Arlene White
11/05/2015
I was saddened to hear of Ryan's passing. Pastor Jeff and Karen and family members. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. He was a fine young man.
Joanne Kelling
11/04/2015
My heart is so heavy and my spirit so sad... I knew Ryan through my oldest son, Kris. They served side by side in Afghanistan and have a brotherhood that has experienced the deepest love there is- the willingness to lay down their life to save the other. There's no greater love or sacrifice than that. How well Jesus knew this kind of love, as He did that for us. My heart breaks for the suffering that our combat veterans battle. I had the gift of many conversations with Ryan when he came to our house to hang out with our son(s). How I loved him...My deepest thanks for all Ryan gave on the battlefield of life, for the brother he became to Kris, and the friend he became to our other two sons. How I will miss our talks, how my heart goes out to all who love him...
Teddy Kirchner
11/04/2015
I'm deeply saddened by Ryan's death. In May 2012, Ryan saved my life. He was bartending at Paddy's Irish Pub, where I was involved in an altercation and stabbed in the neck, head, shoulder, arm, and hand. Ryan and I just had a bartender/patron relationship, but he immediately snapped into action applying his military training. Ryan took care of the wound on my neck while directing others on how to take care of my additional lacerations. By the time the ambulance arrived, I had lost so much blood that I couldn't see 6 inches in front of me. However, Ryan's reassurance that I was going to be okay kept me calm. I honestly believe if he wasn't working that night I wouldn't be around today. Ryan knows how thankful I am for what he did, but I wanted to share this story with his family. My limited experience with Ryan reiterates what a compassionate and friendly person he was. Ryan was a good a man. Rest in peace.
Lorna and Bob Leavitt
11/04/2015
Prayers to the family, Pastor Jeff and Karen and all. Praying God's peace and waves of comfort only God our Father can provide in this heartbreak.
Lorna and Bob Leavitt ( Q & Lynn Hatfield's sister)
Brigitta Mehlhouse
11/04/2015
Our son, Robert, served with Ryan in Afghanistan. He shared this news with a very heavy heart. He spoke highly of your son. Although I do not know you, as a mother I can only imagine the pain that you are feeling at this time. May you find hope and peace through the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and the family and friends around you. May the peace that passes all understanding of guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus .
Rhonda & Brian Nichols
11/04/2015
Jeff, Karen, Liz and family, we are deeply saddened by Ryan's death. There are no words that we can say that will comfort you in your time of need. Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ will give you strength and peace in the coming seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks and years. Rest in peace Ryan you will truly be missed.