Leo Sabastian Ryan, 88, of Goodhue, died Thursday, January 25, 2024 at his home in Loving Residence in Red Wing. He was born May 11, 1935 in Red Wing to Francis and Mary (Cronin) Ryan.
He grew up in Goodhue and attended Goodhue High School where he played football, fostering a life-long love of the game. He graduated class of 1953.
Following graduation, he started working on the family dairy farm. He married Maxine Elaine Larson on November 26, 1955 at St. Columbkill Catholic Church where they became life-long members. They lived and raised 7 children in rural Goodhue. He continued to farm for 48 years until 2001.
He then went on to work for the Minnesota DNR doing park maintenance in Goodhue County. Later, he worked at Treasure Island as a maintenance technician until he retired in 2011.
Leo was in a bowling league for many years and loved bowling. He also enjoyed fishing in his spare time. He loved going to his grandchildren’s sporting events. After years of farming, Leo took up gardening, growing lots of squash, tomatoes and raspberries.
He will be missed by many, including his wife, Maxine; 6 children, Victoria (Paul) Ryan, Patricia (Jon) Roschen, Karolyn (Steven) Peterson, Barbara (Richard) Evans, all of Goodhue, and Roger Ryan of Red Wing, Kathleen Ryan (Gerard Poncelet) of Kenyon; daughter-in-law, Debra Ryan of Hudson, Wisc.; grandchildren, Carissa (Colin) Brown, Garrett Ryan, Andrew, Keith (Crystal), Nathan (Haley), Corey (Heather) and Craig Ryan, Derek (Callie), Kyle (Megan), Kaylee and Emilee Roschen, Christopher (May) and Mitchell Ryan, Rachel (Jeremy) Koenig, Joshua (Laura) Peterson, Malory (Bryant) Grover, Angela (Evan) Ramseth, William Peterson, Ryan, Haley, Kathryn, and Julia Evans, Noah, Katarina, and Markus Rechtzigel; 35 great-grandchildren; brother and sisters-in-law, Roger and Lori Larson, and Algene Larson; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his son, Bradley Ryan; brothers, Gerald “Shug” Ryan, James “Red” Ryan; sister, Rita Allhiser; and his parents.
Mass of Resurrection will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at St. Columbkill Catholic Church with Father Thomas McCabe presiding. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. prior to the service at church. Burial at the church cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the church or the Goodhue High School football program. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
