Elaine Ryan

ELAINE RYAN

Lansing

Elaine Ryan, 88, passed away peacefully Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, in Alexandria, Minn. Elaine was born Dec. 8, 1928, to Ken and Elaine Green, and lived most of her life in Lansing, Iowa.

Elaine had many talents and interests. She loved to paint, bake, sew, read, travel, write and learn. Her adventurous spirit took her backpacking solo through Europe several times, always traveling by train and lodging in youth hostels. When she was 80, she rode an elephant in South Africa. She loved the mountains of Colorado and often could be found standing at the peak of Mount Evans in shorts and a wool sweater. She loved family. She will be dearly missed.

Elaine is survived by her four children, Teri (Bill) Rethwisch of Lansing, Ken (Heidi) Ryan of Alexandria, Minn., Mark (Linda) Ryan of Dacula, Ga., and Carol (David) Wilkie of St. Paul, Minn.; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Elaine was preceded in death by her loving husband, James A. Ryan; her parents, Ken and Elaine Green of Postville; and two brothers, Theodore and Edward Green.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Lansing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at the church with the Rev. John Moser as celebrant. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, Lansing.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation for the staff at Knute Nelson, Nelson Gables and Grand Arbor in Alexandria, as well as the Hospice of Douglas County caregivers for the love and care they gave Elaine at the end of her full life.

Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Lansing, is helping the family with arrangements.