Dennis “Denny” Ryan, 79

Dennis “Denny” Ryan passed away from cardiac death at his farmhouse in St. Ansgar, Iowa on October 11, 2024. At 79 years old, he lived a life filled with family, friends, and passionate dedication to his work and many personal pursuits.

Denny was born in Austin, Minnesota to Glen Ryan and Bonita (Kruempel) Ryan; he was their fourth child of six children. Denny took to his father’s passion for fishing at a young age and was out on the Mississippi with Glen Ryan on angling trips even when he was a baby; the sport would be a passion of his for the rest of his life.

His siblings and friends remembered him as an outgoing and confident kid, and he graduated from Austin High School before going into Vocational School to become a tool and die machinist.

He landed a tool and die apprenticeship shortly after graduating vocational school – but soon left to serve his country as a Navy sailor, where he was stationed in Puerto Rico doing mechanical work, ship maintenance, and checking out tools to machinists.

“I enjoyed listening to the stories from when he was in the Navy,” one family member said. “About all the hell they raised and the fun they had.”

While Denny never forgot how to have a good time after leaving the Navy, he settled down and started a family after his service ended. In 1970 he met Anita Tuttle in Austin, MN where they enjoyed their bustling home with their son Keith, as well as Anita’s four children from a previous marriage, Terry, David, Lori and Kristie.

He was a dedicated husband and father, but Denny’s kindness extended far beyond his family: many friends of his remember him as someone they could count on in times of need.

At work he was appreciated for his precision machining skills and his ability to find creative solutions to problems that were deemed impossible to his employers, which included Queen Stove Works, Scotsman, Lou-Rich, Gauthier Industries, and Owatonna Tool Company.

Denny never stopped learning. Later in his career he took classes in more up-to-date manufacturing technology, giving him an unusual combination of old-school skills and computer-aided techniques. Several times he told his employer he was retiring, only to have them offer so much money that he kept working.

But Denny had a life outside of work and was a master pool player and skilled hunter. He always made time for his weeks-long Fall hunting and fishing trips that he did each year with his friends and family members who shared his appreciation for the outdoors. One family member remembered that Denny would tell potential employers that not getting the time to go out into the woods was a deal breaker, but would-be employers were usually happy to oblige – and sometimes offered even more time off.

He only missed one trip when he was caring for Anita as she struggled with a serious illness – but when he broke his back in four places and fractured a rib last year it wasn’t enough to keep him from going. This year, the Minnesota woods, and his family and friends, will miss him dearly.

He is survived by his grandson, Logan Hegna, Brownsdale, MN; and sisters, Patty May, Austin, MN, Hollie Ciecmierowski, Laramie, WY, Renea Hansen, Austin, MN, and Kathryn Todd, Gresham, OR.

He is predeceased by his wife, Anita Ryan; son, Keith Ryan; and brother, John Wooldridge, Rochester, MN.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at the Ruby Rupner Auditorium at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, 1304 21st St. NE., Austin, MN 55912. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.