Mary Ellen (Keenan) Ryan

Mary Ellen Ryan, 95, of Manchester, Iowa, formally of Ryan, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester, surrounded by her family.  She was born on October 10, 1928, the daughter of Paul and Alice (Farrell) Keenan. Mary Ellen grew up on a farm southwest of Masonville.  In 1946, Mary Ellen graduated from Lamont High School and went on to start teaching at a country school in rural Masonville.

On September 13, 1952, Mary Ellen was united in marriage to James “Jim” V. Ryan, Jr. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Masonville, by Rev. Michael O’Sullivan.  Seven children were born to this union. Together Mary Ellen and Jim made their first home in Manchester, later moving to the farm in Prairie Township west of Ryan where they raised their family.

Mary Ellen was a longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ryan and St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester.  She was a lifetime member of the Ryan American Legion Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters of America, and the Red Hat Society. Mary Ellen loved being with people and was a member of several bridge and card clubs.

Over her 95 years of life, Mary Ellen experienced both joy and trials of loss. She loved her family and friends above everything else. In their short 38 years of marriage, Mary Ellen traveled extensively with her beloved husband Jim. She never would want to miss any event especially anything her family was involved with, and all the fun and shenanigans she experienced with living in the Prairie Township neighborhood.

Left to honor her memory are her surviving children, Pat (Dan) Doyle of Manchester, Kevin (Theresa) Ryan of Ryan, Dan (Debbie) Ryan of Las Vegas, Nevada, Terry Ryan of Coggon, Therese Ryan (Jim Dunne) of Coralville, and Sheila (Mike) Fetters of Swisher; 20 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; her sister, Emogene (Dorance) McDonald; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Alice Keenan; her beloved husband, Jim; her son, Marty Ryan; daughter-in-law, Lynne Ryan; and sister Patricia and brother James in infancy.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the family.

Special thanks for the loving care and compassion from the staff of the Good Neighbor Home, The Meadows, and the palliative care team of Care Initiatives Hospice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Ellen (Keenan) Ryan, please visit our floral store.