Lois Ryan

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring; all have the potential to change another person's life. There is nothing Lois Ryan loved more than to be surrounded by her family. Always making a point to have her family together, Lois loved her life as a wife, a mother, and a grandmother to the people who brought great joy to her life.

In the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, parents Thaddeus and Charlotte (Dobke) Kurdelski, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Lois on the 29th of August, 1931. Lois was a middle child with an older sister, Marilyn and younger brother, Jim. The years of Lois' childhood were a hard time for the country. Many people were devastated by the depression but thankfully her father had a good job as a postal supervisor and was able to provide for them. Lois lived what might be considered a pretty typical childhood. She discovered the beach in high school and even though she really didn't like the water, she loved to lie on the beach at Grand Haven. It was on that beach that she was first introduced to Thomas Ryan.

Lois' close circle of friends called themselves the "Whips." As they got older they became the "Whips grown up," and finally just became "The Club." She attended Catholic Central High School and graduated from there in 1949. But she didn't get out of high school without dating Tom. The couple found an interest in one another and began their relationship.

After high school she worked as a secretary at Grand Rapids Hardware. Tom was a Marine Corps reservist and when he finished high school in 1950 he was deployed to Korea. They faithfully wrote one another each day without fail. Upon his safe return home, they publicly proclaimed their love for one another as they were married on July 10, 1954. When they started their family, Debra came first and then Tom, Cynthia and Tim. Debbie and Tom became known as "the big kids" and Cynthia and Tim became known as "the little kids".

Lois became a full time mom in order to raise her children and she enjoyed every moment of being home with them. She was always there when they needed her and worried about them when they didn't. Lois stayed active in their lives. As they got older, she would wait up for them to get home and would always lend a listening ear. While always concerned, she gave advice when asked. Their mother always seemed to know what to say and how and where to say it.

Once her children were in school, Lois went back to work, first for the men's department in Wurzburg's, then at Steketee's. At Steketee's she first worked in the men's department, then was the bridal registrar, and she was working as a buyer's secretary when the store closed. Lois wasn't just going to sit around after that so she decided to learn how to run computers and took a class to do so. As the kids were growing up, Lois was a member of the Mary Catherine Guild, a fundraising group for St. Mary's Hospital. She loved the company and particularly enjoyed the formal events.

Family vacations were always important to the Ryan family throughout the years. When the kids were younger, vacations were spent on the beach, most often in Grand Haven, but they enjoyed the entire Lake Michigan shoreline. Camping never worked out for them, but they enjoyed staying in cottages on Platte and Glen Lakes. As the children got older and moved out around the country after college, they still all made a strong effort to get together as an entire family regularly. They spent vacations together in Disney World and New Orleans, and even traveled to Scotland and Ireland several times.

Being together as a family was of the utmost importance, vacations aside. Throughout the year she would visit her children, or at the very least talk frequently on the phone. Lois considered these past few years of her life to be some of the best - when all her children lived in greater Chicagoland where it was easy for her and Tom to drive down from Grand Rapids for regular visits. She loved nothing more than when the whole family could be together, especially when the grandchildren came along. She loved her grandchildren dearly - they were the apple of her eye - and they loved her dearly right back. They loved spending time with her because she was young at heart.

Youthfulness however, described Lois through and through. She even "dressed young," but dressed well, always having had a keen eye for fashion. She had a great adventurous spirit about her as well, always trying new things. She loved people and loved to converse. Cooking was also something she enjoyed to do, especially when her children were younger. However, Tom said that she recently cooked her best meal ever.

Lois loved her husband with all her being. Throughout their life, she and Tom always had a close group of friends, but always enjoyed each other's company too. She enjoyed watching him entertain those around him. Just sitting back and watching him brought her joy and a smile to her face.

Lois was a proud homemaker. Always kept things clean but not to a fault. She did however, sweep the street - everything had to be presentable. She liked to work outside in the yard, again usually making things neat. When they first moved into their house - forty-six years ago - she spent many hours restoring the original woodwork. She didn't do it so much as a hobby, but as a job, but the results were wonderful. Knitting and crocheting also filled her time. She was always making hats, scarves and doll clothes for her grandchildren, but if she didn't have a needle in her hand there most likely was a book.

Lois' life here on earth was one marked by love and joy. Her soul was filled with all the fruits of the holy spirit. In all things, it was always her family that brought her the most joy. She passed away suddenly on the first day of February, 2006, having spoken with her children just the day before. We cannot predict the times and seasons of our lives. We have the past to cherish and the future to look for, but in the present all we can do is love. Lois lived by love; and everywhere, that special love lives on.

Mrs. Lois J. Ryan of Grand Rapids, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 1, 2006. Lois' family includes her husband, Tom; her children Debra Ryan of Naperville IL, Thomas and Jody Ryan of Cherry Hills Village CO, Cynthia and Red Weller of LaGrange IL, Timothy and Anne Ryan of Lincolnshire IL; grandchildren: Kelly Smith; Jade, Alexis and Brennan Ryan; Kaitlin, Hailey and Jon Weller; Collin, Callie and Cara Ryan; siblings Marilyn (Robert) Czarniecki and Jim (Lorraine) Kurdelski; along with many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet with her family on Thursday, February 2, 2006 evening from 7-9 PM and on Friday, February 3, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW where the Rosary will be recited Friday at 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 4 at 10 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with interment to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Please visit Lois' personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory, send flowers or make a memorial contribution to St. Jude Children's Hospital.