Etta A. Ryan's Obituary
Etta Alice Ryan, 93, of Big Rapids was lovingly attended to by her children, faithful friends, the staff of Evergreen Terrace and Hospice as she was prayed into the Arms of Jesus on Monday, September 21, 2009. She was reunited in Heaven with her parents, Bert and Ida Buckley of Morley, her husband of 46 years, Thomas Ryan, her siblings Raymond (Bernice) Hubert (Fannie), Ernie (Margaret). In-laws William and Catherine Ryan, sisters in law, Margaret Fuller, Phil (Clayton) Nowlin, Catherine (Kenneth) Poumade, Marie (Leon) Day, Anna (Tom) Horgan and two grandsons, Nels Thomas Hanson and Landon James Klimek. Mrs. Ryan led a full life. She is a graduate of Morley High School and Ferris Institute. She married Tom Ryan of Big Rapids; they raised six children, and on occasion took care of other children in immediate need. Their children are: Rosanne (the late Paul Sapp) of Mecosta, Thomas (Charles Kralovec) of Chicago; Lucia (Thomas) Hanson of Big Rapids; Kathleen (Norm) Hopkins of Big Rapids; Pat (Rhoda) of Allegan; and Tim (Paula) of Grand Rapids. Fourteen grandchildren and fourteen great grand children also survive her. Etta was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church where she served as President and member of the Altar Society and PTO of St. Mary School. Etta was a 4-H leader of many children. She was in later years a Eucharistic minister serving communion at church and for 14 years took communion to the residents of Altercare. She was also a Lector of St. Mary church. Volunteer work was important to Etta, She volunteered for the Red Cross Blood Bank, Greenridge nursing center, literacy mentor,and Relay for Life. She was employed by Singer Sewing Company of Big Rapids where she also taught sewing lessons. She was employed by Mutual Savings and Loan.Tom and Etta owned and operated the Tom Ryan Dry Cleaners for nearly two decades. She and her husband hosted a Christmas Party at the local armory for the children and elderly of the Big Rapids area for over 18 years. The annual party included performances and participation by the various local churches, and was later carried on by Toms fraternity, Sigma Alpha Delta. Etta cooked extra turkeys and trimmings at Thanksgiving and Tom and the children would deliver food plates to people in Big Rapids who would not otherwise be having a holiday dinner. They were also founders of the Big Rapids Band Boosters, which raised money for band uniforms for Big Rapids High School. Residents of Big Rapids named Etta Mother of The Year in 1960. She was a member of Golden Eagles Ferris Alumni, lifetime member of TOPS, and long time member of Attic Diggers. Etta was also cancer survivor and supported the Relay for Life. Etta Ryan will be sorely missed by her family for her strength, for dedicating herself to prayer for the needs of her family, for her wisdom, and for her wonderful sense of humor -- often delightfully spicy. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Big Rapids with Father Lam T. Le serving as celebrant, Interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Ettas family will greet friends from 2 to 4p.m. and 6 to 8p.m. on Thursday at the Mohnke Funeral Home, where a scripture service will be held at 7 p.m. Memorial Contributions may b made to St. Mary School or the Susan B. Wheatlake Cancer Foundation. Share a memory or express condolences
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