Elaine Ryan

Elaine Ryan, 73, Green Bay, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family Saturday morning, April 2, 2005, after a courageous battle with the cruel disease PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy). She was born on Nov. 1, 1931 (appropriately, All Saints Day), in Ashton, Nebraska to the late Louis and Hattie (Grabowski) Waskowiak. On Feb. 4, 1951, she married Richard Ryan at St. Josaphat Parish in Loup City, Neb. Elaine was a cheerleader at Loup City High School, NE. After graduation, she was employed as Executive Secretary at International Harvester's regional headquarters, Grand Island, NE. Elaine was very active in the many cities that she lived in: Cub Scout leader, Lincoln, NE; Newcomers, Mason City, IA, Green Bay, WI, Kansas City, KS and St. Louis, MO. She enjoyed reading and started book clubs in Kansas City, St. Louis and Green Bay. Elaine was instrumental in organizing the first girls softball program in Ashwaubenon. Later, with Coach Phil Adam's expert guidance, the Ashwaubenon girls softball team went on to become state champions for several years. Many opportunities for girls sports were to follow in the Green Bay area because of her enthusiasm. She had a strong revere...[more]

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for nature and spent much time with God, strolling the paths through the woods by herself or with family or friends. She was also the driving force in establishing Argonne Park, in Ashwaubenon, an area that had previously been marked for building development. Paramount in her life was Elaine's strong Christian faith. She loved children and taught religious education to hundreds of children in four states. She enjoyed sharing her faith with others through many ministries especially at Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Ashwaubenon. Elaine was a wonderful outgoing person making friends wherever she went. Her best friend was her husband, Richard; ?I never saw a love so true, so patient or beautiful than the love that my parents shared.? Elaine loved the new friends that she met at St.mary's Hospital and Manor Care West, as she ministered Holy Communion. She belonged to the Christian Women and Catholic Women Clubs. She never tired of volunteer work to raise money for the Salvation Army, Children's fund and the homeless. Elaine had many creative talents. She was a gifted painter and published poet. She was among the first volunteers at the Weidner Center and the Green Bay Botanical Gardens. She was a member of the Water Color Guild. Taking after her mother, Elaine was an accomplished seamstress. As her eight children were growing up, Elaine made much of their clothing, and daughters' beautiful wedding dresses. Never tiring of the game, Elaine and husband Richard (Dick) golfed 48 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. She had two holes in one: St. Louis, MO and McCaslin, Lakewood, WI. She was a league champion at Brook Ridge Country Club, Kansas City. She and Dick played in couples' leagues in Mason City, Kansas City and St.Louis. Elaine was very proud of her Polish heritage. She was a member of the Polish Heritage Society. Elaine also belonged to the Military Officers Wives Auxiliary, Casper, WY, Ft. Benning, GA and VA. Even with Elaine's busy schedule, she insisted, ?You must learn something new every day,? so she continued her college education with each move from state to state. There left to celebrate Elaine's wondrous life are her husband of 54 years, Lt. Col. Richard (U.S. Army, retired), her eight children: Rick, Jr., Little Suamico, Christine VanDercook (Jim), San Francisco, Lyn Cummins (Tim), Menominee Falls, Steve Ryan (Karen) Green Bay, Joseph Scott Ryan, Green Bay, Laurie Lee Claire Ryan, Oconto, WI, Lacy Ott (John), La Crosse, WI, Kevin Ryan (Amy), Kansas City, KS. 11 grandchildren; two sisters: Alice Seley, LaFayette, IN, and Louise Lonowski, Columbus, NE; three brothers and two sisters-in-law: Ralph and Tina Waskowiak, Lubbock, TX, Carl and Mary West, Des Moines, IA, and Fred Waskowiak, Las Cruces, NM; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Al Waskowiak. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at Lyndahl Funeral Home, Green Bay, where a parish wake service will take place at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue after 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. James Hablewitz officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lyndahl.com. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations to SPSP (Society of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) would be appreciated. A special thanks to Unity Hospice, especially Kristin, Pam and Tabbi; LuAnn and Sherri of Interim; and Michael Vincent for the gentle loving care that they bestowed to Elaine and her family.