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James O. Ryan Obituary – 9/18/2012


James (Jim) Orville Ryan, age 76, of Cokato, passed away suddenly at Hutchinson Community Hospital Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012.

He was born April 17, 1936, to Joseph and Irene (Peterson) Ryan in Bird Island. James was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Bird Island.

He graduated from Bird Island Public High School in 1954, and then became an active member of the National Guard.

Jim was united in marriage to Mary Ann Hess Sept. 17, 1961, at Stockholm Lutheran Church in Cokato. They were blessed with three children; Jonathan, Miriam, and Marilyn.

Jim was strong in his faith, and an active member of Stockholm Lutheran Church for many years. He helped start the Stockholm Tractor Show, and was found anywhere and everywhere that he could help, with Mary Ann at his side.

He also participated in many community activities such as the county fair, insurance board, museum board, Sons of Norway, American Legion, Cokato Corn Carnival, and many other organizations.

An avid collector of Massey-Harris and Massey Ferguson tractors, Jim was an exemplary model of volunteerism in the Dassel-Cokato area. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren, and watching their activities – from football to concerts, he was always in the crowd. Above all, he loved to be at the farm and working in the fields.

Jim is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Ann; his children and their spouses, Jonathan (Jane) Ryan of Cokato, Miriam Ryan of Maple Grove, and Marilyn (Bruce) Irvin of Cokato; seven grandchildren: Kate, Rebecca, and Jacob Ryan of Cokato; Kiana Temanson of Maple Grove; and Tyler, Jordan, and Sarah Irvin of Cokato.

He is further survived by his siblings, LaVonne (Robert) Wertish of Olivia, Robert (Mary) Ryan of Bird Island, and Paul (Rita) Ryan of Lakeville; sisters-in-law Katherine Jolin of Springboro, OH, Jane Ray of St. Paul, Carolyn (Carl) Cole of St. Thomas, VI, and Brenda Hess of Redondo Beach, CA; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; Joe and Irene; a sister, Laura Mae; his in-laws, Omar and Ethel Hess; and a brother-in-law, Tim Jolin.

A service of Christian Burial took place Saturday, Sept. 22 at Stockholm Lutheran Church in Cokato, with the Rev. Mark Little officiating.

Serving as pallbearers were Jonathan Ryan, Bruce Irvin, Tyler Irvin, Jordan Irvin, and Jacob Ryan.

Honorary pallbearers were Miriam Ryan, Marilyn Irvin, Kate Ryan, Kiana Temanson, Rebecca Ryan, Sarah Irvin, and Jane Ryan.

Arrangements were handled by the Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato.

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