Colleen Ryan
November 25, 2008
Colleen H. Ryan, 80, passed away Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 1, 2008 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with burial to follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2008 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon St., where a vigil service will be held at 6 p.m.
Colleen was born October 30, 1928 in Des Moines to John and Rosetta (Raschke) Hutton. She was a proud graduate of East High School, class of 1946. Colleen was a lifelong Des Moines resident and was the accountant for the Iowa State Fair until her retirement in 1993. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Altar and Rosary Society, St. Joseph’s 5/0 Club, the Firefighters and Widows and the East High School Alumni Association. Colleen enjoyed traveling with her husband and spending time with her family.
Colleen is survived by her daughters, Linda (Ted) Nemmers, Nancy Ryan and Debbie Ryan; son, David (Connie) Ryan; brother, John (Jane) Hutton; and her grandchildren, Jennifer Nemmers, Ted Nemmers, Jr., Amy (Jason) Kruger, Ryan Nemmers, Julie Ryan and Christina Ryan. She was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband of 55 years, David Ryan.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in loving memory of Colleen.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Gary Svenson's Family
11/28/2008
Linda, Nancy, Debbie, David, Casey & the entire Ryan family - Our thoughts and prayers are by your side in the loss of your mother and grandmother. She was a gem! The "fair friendship" between our families has been a blessing for 40-some years and we look forward to that continuing.
I remember asking my dad once how he got to be such good friends with Colleen. The smiles on both their faces when they'd hug each other at the State Fair spoke volumes. Dad just replied, "I'm just lucky because Colleen has a soft spot for firefighters." We all feel very lucky to have been blessed so tremendously by Colleen and David in our lives.
Her wonderful letters were such a treat and always overflowed with pride for her children and grandchildren. You all have the most special guardian angel anyone could ask for now!
Memories of Colleen will always bring a smile to our faces. She is also a personal inspiration on how to handle adversity. Although I never understood why both she and my father had to face the challenge of strokes, their positive attitudes and determination through those challenges are outstanding examples for us all.
We pray that in time warm memories are stronger than your pain and you feel greater joy for having known her than you do grief for having to say goodbye. May you feel God wrapping his loving arms around you. God bless!
The family of the late Gary Svenson
Forever proud to have been blessed by the friendship of the Ryan's
DiAnn Svenson of Decorah
Darin Svenson of Decorah
Josh & Dawn Svenson Holland of Cedar Rapids
John and Jane Hutton
11/28/2008
To Linda, Nancy, Debbie, Dave, and your children,
We too will miss your wonderful mother and grandmother. The daily phone calls from "Coke" will surely be a void in both of our lives. The question to John was "Are you all right?", and to Jane---"Did you go to a garage sale today?" At the end of the conversation was "I love you" from both parties. We know she is happy to be with your dear Dad and others she loved as well. Our love to all of YOU that we will continue to love and enjoy. Always come visit us at the "home place".
Love, Uncle John and Aunt Jane
Renae Angeroth
11/26/2008
Nancy and family,
Thinking of you.
renae