Michael R. Ryan

Michael “Mike” Ryan, 59, of Fergus Falls died on Monday, September 14, 2015 at his home, surrounded by his family, under the care of Lakeland Hospice.

Michael Robert Ryan was born on August 24, 1956, in St. Paul, to Robert and Gloria (Severson) Ryan. He grew up in St. Paul and graduated from White Bear Lake “Mariner” High School. He later attended “916 Vo-Tech” in White Bear Lake, studying videography. He joined the U.S Navy, where he served on the U.S.S. Saipan and the U.S.S. Patterson. Upon discharge he returned to St. Paul.

On April 12, 1986, he married Jana Nelson in White Bear Lake. The couple moved to Jacksonville, FL, where he worked in property management. In 1992, they moved to Apple Valley, MN. While Jana was completing her schooling, Mike enjoyed living with Jana’s grandmother Lyla, while he worked at Carr’s Marine. Mike then began working at Mill Street Residence in Fergus Falls, retiring in July of 2014, due to his health.

Mike was an active member of Boy Scouts of America, where he was Advancement Chair for the District, The Nazarene Church and Peg Access. He loved the Minnesota Wild and NASCAR, camping, hiking and other outdoor activities, such as the “Let’s Go Fishing” organization that allowed him to spend extra time with “his” residents.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Ryan.

He is survived by his wife, Jana of Fergus Falls; his son, Kyler Ryan of Moorhead; his daughter from a previous marriage, Kimberly Ryan of Dilworth; four grandchildren, Kenny and Shannon Foss of Fergus Falls and Kadenn and Jadenn Severson of Anoka; his mother, Gloria Ryan of Stillwater; two sisters, Pam (Joe) Kryzer of White Bear Lake and Michelle (Bill) Plante of Florida; two brothers, Rick (Linda) Ryan of South Carolina and Tom (Becky) Ryan of White Bear Lake; his mother and father-in-law, Dick and Verna Nelson of Crystal; a sister-in-law, Stephanie (Brian) Cook of New Hope; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials are preferred to Lakeland Hospice or Lake Region Cancer Care and Research Center

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 PM on Friday, September 18, 2015, at the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Service: 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 19, 2015, at First Church of The Nazarene in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Pastors Mike Voorhees and Steve Hoffman
Military Honors: Fergus Falls American Legion Post #30 and VFW Post #612
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls