George Francis RYAN

  Noted events in his life were:

• Obituary: LaCrosse Tribune, 2013, Wisconsin, USA. December 01, 2013
GALESVILLE \emdash George Francis Ryan, 75, of Galesville passed peacefully into eternity on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, at Lakeview Health Center in West Salem.

George was born Feb. 13, 1938, in Cresco, Iowa to Francis J. and June (Hauber) Ryan. He attended school in Harmony, Minnesota. He then enlisted in the army where he served as a tank operator in West Germany. He married Loretta Larson of Mabel, Minn. on Aug. 21, 1961. George was a well-respected Volkswagen mechanic and was co-owner of Morey and Ryan Volkswagen Repair in Winona. Later in life he was employed as a truck driver hauling propane. Fueled by a love of farming, George collected antique John Deere tractors and two-cylinder engines.

George was an honest, hard-working man who made a lasting impression on those with whom he spent time. He offered a unique perspective with keen observation skills, an eye for detail, and a gifted sense of humor. He displayed a gentle love for animals, especially dogs and cats, which was evidenced in the joyful visits he had with his loyal companion, Beau.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Loretta; son, Shawn of Tracy, Minn.; and grandchildren, Ross, Rita, and Roxy; great-grandson, Brayden; son, Robbie (Aurora) of Brawley, Calif.; and grandchildren, Natalie and Sydney; daughter, Jennifer (Dan) Henderson of Galesville and grandchildren, Alexandra, Nolan, and Reed; mother, June of Cresco, Iowa.; a sister, Frances (Al) Shindelar of Greenfield, Iowa.; a sister, Virginia Shanahan of Rochester, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. He is further survived by his wife's siblings, Nancy (Ted) DeRoode of Ghent, Minn., Rev. Lynn (deb) Larson of Cable, Wis., Brad (Linda) Larson of Burnsville, Minn., Brenda (Gary) Trask of Earlville, Iowa, and their children and grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and so many others.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sr. Adelia Marie Ryan, his father-in-law, Orrel Larson, and his mother-in-law, Susan Larson.

Heartfelt thanks are extended to the staff at Lakeview Health Center and the doctors and nurses at Mayo Health System who cared for George during the final stages of Alzheimer's Disease.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at United Methodist Church, 24255 Fourth St., Trempealeau. Pastor Betsy Miller-Ruben will officiate. A private family burial will take place in the Trempealeau City Cemetery.

The Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers memorial designation will be determined by the family.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com.

• Cemetery: Trempealeau Cemetery, 2013, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, USA.

George married Living