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Rick Ryan

November 16, 1953 ~ October 4, 2016

Richard 'Rick' Ryan, 62, of Cedar Rapids, died on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Rick was born on November 16, 1953, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Rodney and Catherine (Kirk) Ryan. He graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines and Area 11 College in Ankeny. On February 15, 1974, he married Gayle Oxberger in Des Moines. Rick worked as a drafter at Amana Refrigeration/Whirlpool Corporation for nearly 40 years. He will be remembered as a true family man who enjoyed spending lots of time with his grandchildren. He was humble and always put everyone before himself. In his free time, he liked bird watching, woodworking, and being in nature. Rick was an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Survivors include his wife, Gayle; mother, Catherine 'Pud' Elliot of West Des Moines; sons, Jonathan (Stacy) Ryan of Ames, and Paul (Rita) Ryan of Honolulu, Hawaii; sisters, Cathy (Larry) Fairfield of Laramie, Wyoming, Annie (Tim) Huckaby of Des Moines, and Kelli (Kenny) Krauss of Los Angeles, California; and five grandchildren, Isaac, Nora, Emrick, Kiernan, and Mave. He was preceded in death by his father, Rodney; stepfather, Tim; and his infant son, Jason Kirk Ryan. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. on Friday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Christopher Podhajsky. Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Memorials are suggested to the Immaculate Conception Building Fund, Hospice House of Mercy, or the Anna Purna Ghosh Foundation. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

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  1. Although I know that no words can ease the loss you feel, just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Dave & Kim Sorg

  2. Gayle and family,
    We are so very sorry to hear about Rick. He was a kind and gentle man who lived his faith. We treasure our memories from our time as neighbors by Amana. We are currently in Memphis helping Alison and
    Franz by doing some babysitting for Lua. We sadly won’t be home for Rick’s visitation and funeral. We so wanted the chance to see you, Jon and Paul. Don read the obituary in the on-line Gazette this morning and called me at Alison’s. We both cried. She had been following you on Facebook so knew about Hospice. I didn’t know and feel sad that I am not there to hug you right now. Gayle, you and Rick were/are so special to our family. We love all of you and know that Rick is with his Heavenly Father and is watching over you and your family. Much, much love and may God guard and keep you, now and always.

    Love and peace to all of you,
    Don and Donna Happel

  3. Gayle, My thoughts and prayers have long been with you and I am
    So very sorry.
    May happy memories of Rick bring you comfort and peace.
    Blessings, Bridgann Overmann


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