Helen Ryan

Helen Lucille Ryan, age 84, of Dalton, died Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at her home. She was born September 28, 1926, in Buffalo Lake, MN, the daughter of William and Olive (Taylor) Porter. There, she attended the country school. In 1955, she and Wyllis M. Ryan were married in Buffalo Lake. She dedicated her life to caring for their family as a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. In 1960, they moved to Dalton when Wyllis purchased and operated the grain elevator. Helen was a member of the Ladies Aide, the American Legion Auxiliary, and Our Saviors Lutheran Church. She enjoyed writing letters and watching television. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, a sister: Ruth Fransen; a grandson: Michael Paul Jacobs; and a great-granddaughter: Taylor Rose Ryan.  Survivors include her children, Kathy (Paul) Jacobs of Ashby, Linda Leitch of Underwood, Mark Ryan of Dalton, Beth (Byron) Dorn of Dalton, Tim (Melanie) Ryan of Dalton, and Lora Ryan of Dalton; 14 grandchildren: Heather (Corey) Synstelien; Melissa, Zach, Nick, Isaac, and Ryan Jacobs; Chad Leitch, Joshua and Shawn Leitch, Jeremy Ryan, Matt and Kelsey Spitsberg, Justin Dorn and Craig Anderson; six great-grandchildren: James, Allison and Jackson Leitch, and Dylan, Kyndra and Taylor Synstelien; a sister, Hazel Richards of Hector, MN, four brothers: William (Shirley) Porter of Washington, James (Yvonne) Porter of Buffalo Lake, Allen (Lucille) Porter of New Ulm, and David (Annette) Porter of Little Chute, WI; an aunt, Ann Taylor of Buffalo Lake; a brother-in-law, Daniel Fransen of Hutchinson; a sister-in-law, Judy Ryan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial Service: 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church in Dalton, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Clergy: Reverend Mark Johnson Burial: Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery in Dalton Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls