Evelyn Ryan

The year was 1921 and it was the beginning of the Roaring Twenties. This was a time in America when things were tough: the unemployment rate was 5.2% and the annual salary was only around $1200 a year. However, Americans remained happy and even started a fun past-time called the “dance marathon".

In Chicago that year a young couple, Cornelius and Cornelia (Buis) Smith, were most interested in the birth of their beautiful daughter, Evelyn on May 4, 1921. They lived in a big city because Evelyn's parents could not afford to own a car. Most of the aunts, uncles and cousins lived close together and it did not require the use of a car to keep in touch. There was also public transportation nearby.

Growing up in the Smith household was always fun. Evelyn’s mother was innovative in entertaining and providing wonderful play opportunities for her and her neighborhood friends. Even though money was tight she always provided some sort of refreshments for all the kids. She also went to great lengths for her children to have very special birthdays and other holidays-- a tradition that Evelyn continued with her family until her death. Sadly, Evelyn’s father could not work because of a rare type of paralysis. The Smith family survived by renting to boarders through WWII with her dad assisting in any way he could.

When Evelyn was young she enjoyed roller skating and was very proud of her skates because she had saved a long time for them. She enjoyed making crafts, sewing, swimming and loved to play jacks. As an adolescent, Evelyn was involved in church youth groups. Some of her fondest memories were the times when she was able to go out to eat or go bowling with her friends. These interests stayed with her throughout her life. Unlike many women of her time, she was able to finish her education up until the 12th grade.

Although Evelyn knew her future husband William (Bill) when she was younger, she really was not that fond of him. However, he seemed to always be hanging around her porch with other friends, and eventually the two formed a friendship. Later it grew into love and they were married in 1939. This was the year that “Gone with the Wind” premiered. The couple enjoyed their church, skating and traveling.

In 1942 Evelyn was dealt two major blows: her father’s condition worsened and he passed away, and within months, her husband of two years was called to duty with the Navy for WWII. Luckily there were wonderful times on the horizon and even though Evelyn and Bill were unable to have children, they adopted a daughter Connie and a son Paul. This made their family complete. Evelyn was ecstatic. She enjoyed her kids and went out of her way to provide all sorts of leisure activities for them; things that she was unable to enjoy as a child.

After WWII the Ryan’s moved to Michigan where the family lived in Kalamazoo for nine years. In 1959, they moved to Holland for six years. During that time they spent two summers in Dulce, New Mexico working on an Indian Reservation. They then decided to live there for another two years. While in Dulce, Evelyn worked for the U.S. public health system and the reservation thrift store, while Bill was a teacher in the reservation school.

Travel became intertwined with the couple’s church interest. They were involved as youth group leaders who traveled with those groups to provide services to various church communities in need. It was well known that Evelyn’s favorite place on earth was the southwestern landscape of Arizona.

While living in Holland, the Ryan’s joined Trinity Reformed Church and later became members at Christ Memorial. She even took piano lessons and sang in the choir. Evelyn was not one to sit around, so it was not surprising that she also worked as an insurance company secretary and as an administrative assistant at Hope College for 25 years. In 1982 the family bought an old fraternity house that was severly burned. They renovated the house and rented the upper floors to local college students.

Much of Evelyn and Bill’s leisure time in later life was spent vacationing. The two loved to travel and camp. Upon retirement, they joined the Mobile Missionary Assistance Program and continued to travel and provide services for missions needing aid. She even learned to use the computer in her late 70’s! This was a great way for her to stay in touch with friends and family through email.

Evelyn was not a materialistic person. She never desired to have a lot of things, however, she cherished a sitting chair that she received upon retiring from Hope College, and her grandfather clock, that was a momento of her 50th wedding anniversary. Some of her favorite pastimes were making birthdays and Christmas special for the family, baking and making chocolates for her loved ones. She had a love for her dog, Rascal, and even after his death thought of him often. Evelyn’s needs were simple: a good Swiss steak, spending an afternoon stamping or her very favorite, giving great big hugs to her family members.

When Evelyn’s husband Bill died on September 9, 2000 she continued to be involved with missions. She even went to South Africa and Albania to volunteer in orphanages where she sewed play mats and painted children’s playground equipment. Evelyn also mentored children under the Kid’s Hope program, worked for the Holland Rescue Mission food pantry and served lunch at the Evergreen Commons Senior Center.

Evelyn Ryan was an amazing woman who lived a full life. She was a wonderful mother, wife and servant to God. Her life was an inspiration and she will be remembered warmly in our hearts.

Mrs. Evelyn Ryan passed away in Holland, MI on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 and went to be with her Lord and Savior after a courageous fight with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband, William R. Ryan on September 9, 2000. Surviving are her children, Connie and Paul Ver Hoef of Grand Rapids, Paul and Luanne Ryan of Holland; her grandchildren, Andrew (Theresa) Ver Hoef, Stuart (Amy) Ver Hoef, Troy (Flory) Tucker, Samantha (Victor) Velazquez, Cameron (fiancée Wendy) Polinskey and Stephanie Ryan; several great grandchildren and her brother, John Thomas (Jack) Smith of Phoenix, AZ. Funeral and committal services will be held Saturday at 11 AM at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland, with Rev. Fritz Kruithof officiating. Interment in Graafschap Cemetery. Mrs. Ryan reposes at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland, where relatives and friends may meet her family from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM on Friday. Contributions in her memory may be made to either the Holland Rescue Mission or to Kid’s Hope of Christ Memorial Church. To read Evelyn’s life story, share a favorite memory, send flowers or make a memorial contribution in her memory, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.