Edward Dale Ryken

1931 - 2025

Edward Dale Ryken July 26, 1931 - March 2, 2025 On Sunday, March 2nd, 2025, Edward Dale Ryken went to home to be with the Lord and his loved ones already passed.

Ed was born in Iowa city, Iowa in 1931 and grew up on a farm near Pella, Iowa. His parents, John and Jesse Ryken raised him believing in loving the Lord, working hard, and living life well. He had one brother, Robert Ryken of Graceville, Florida.

Ed was a United States Navy veteran of the Korean War. He served as a boiler tender second class on two ships, from 1951-1955, the U.S.S. Currier, a Destroyer Escort ( DE-700), and the U.S.S. Hamner, a Destroyer (DD-718).

After the war, he spent a few years mining and working in California and Colorado. He worked on the Eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park, the Dillion Water tunnel, also known as the Robert's Tunnel, and many other local construction projects around the Grand Valley including the I-70 overpass at 22 Road. He worked as a heavy-equipment operator for many years for School District 51 in Grand Junction.

He married Edna Rachel Brown of Fruita, Colorado in 1959. They enjoyed many years together working, living, hunting, fishing, praying, traveling, and worshipping the Lord.

Ed and Edna were very involved in Bookcliff Baptist Church of Grand Junction, Colorado. They spent many years driving the church van and serving in other ways within the church family.

They spent 15 winters together with friends from all over Canada and the United States at Riverlodge Park and with their Arizona church family of First Baptist Church in Parker, Arizona.

Ed enjoyed working. He took pride in the care that he gave and saw the work he did as his ministry whether it was his military service, his years taking care of the facilities of the local school district, his service to his church, his work around his home, or helping those in need elsewhere.

He was a talented carpenter, handyman, and mechanic. He and Edna built their family house together with their own hands. He loved figuring out good ways to solve problems and making things better. He was constantly working on cars, particularly his little red 1959 MGA.

Those who fished with him called him "the fish whisperer". He always seemed to catch the biggest fish and if he didn't, he had a great story about the one that got away.

He knew the best fishing holes, ATV trails, hunting spots, and places to get a good cup of coffee. He always had a joke, or a story, or something entertaining to share, but he also always had a word of encouragement or uplifting when needed. He gave confidence when it was needed and chiding when it was deserved.

Ed leaves behind a legacy in the community and his church, but most importantly in his family. He was a loving son to his parents, husband to Edna, Father to Stephen (Karen), Donna, and Paula. He was a loving grandfather to Joshua (Vicki), Rachel (Joe), Matthew (Sarah), Stephanie (Kevin), Vivian, and Ethan and a loving great-grandfather to Damien, Connor, Evelyn, Cooper, Tucker, Drew, Madison, and chosen family, Delia.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Fruita at 9:30 am on Friday, March 7th followed by a memorial service at Bookcliff Baptist Church at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be sent to the Veteran's Administration of Grand Junction.

Special thanks from the family to all of his wonderful friends and caregivers through the years.