Donald Ryan

Donald (Don) lost his battle with cancer on April 25, 2013, dying at home surrounded by Jane, his wife of 60 years, and his five children. Don was born on a farm near Missouri Valley, IA on June 21, 1930 to Leo Ryan and Ruth Cecelia Welbourn Ryan. He was a good athlete, which enabled him to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison for both his BBA and MBA degrees. He was an Iowa State champion and a three-time Big Ten wrestling champion. He was an executive for KOA, Inc. After his retirement Don formed two non-profit corporations whose missions were to organize teenagers to undertake public service projects that would benefit low-income families. One, Paint Up Montana, Inc., painted 115 houses in 14 Montana cities at no cost to the homeowners. The other, Called to Serve, Inc., was involved in helping low income families and individuals, providing thousands of hooded bath towels for babies, backpacks with gifts for students, and new winter coats. Don was also a strong Pro-Life advocate and spurred the building of 15 pro-life highway signs across Montana, raised funds to buy 1,000 pro-life bumper stickers, organized the distribution of 5,000 hoodies for babies for Montana crisis pregnancy centers, and helped to organize the Culture of Life convention in Billings recently. He worked for many years with the Diocesan Vocation Director in an effort to increase vocations to the Catholic priesthood and to help raise money for the seminarians. Don was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and four sisters. He is survived by Jane, his wife of 60 years, and five children, Patrick, Kathy (Jim McMeekin), Rita (Craig Henkel), Teresa (Donn Hjellum), and Ann (Dan Vollum); eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Service: Both the Vigil and Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. The vigil is 7:00 pm Monday, April 29; and the Funeral Mass is 10:00 am Tuesday, April 30, 2013.