Meta Ehrentraut Ryan

Meta Ehrentraut Ryan Meta E. Ryan of Austin, Texas and formerly of Beaumont, Texas, died peacefully on September 13, 2005 at the age of ninety. Meta was born in Lodz, Poland, October 2, 1914 to Joseph Ehrentraut and Bertha Geppe. At age eight Meta immigrated with her family to America, arriving at Ellis Island. In 1938 Meta graduated from New Jersey State Teachers College at Montclair with a Bachelor of Arts in German. While in college, Meta was chosen to study in Vienna, Austria. The music and vivid memories of her time in Austria enriched her life and the life of her family. While teaching high school in New Jersey, Meta met and married Joseph Raymond Ryan. Six children were born of their thirty-five year marriage, Michael Ryan of Wichita, Kansas, Timothy Ryan of Whidbey Island, Washington, Judith R. Holmes of Wimberley, Texas, Rosemary Ryan of Beaumont, Texas, Joseph Ryan, deceased, and Sister Marie Therese F.M., Daughters of Mary, Cincinnati, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Erica, her husband, Raymond, and her son, Joseph. Meta’s life was spent loving and nurturing plants and children. She is survived by her children and grandchildren, John D. Holmes, Jr., of Austin, Katy Holmes Scott, College Station, Amanda Holmes, Houston, Robert Ryan, Houston, Shelly Ryan, Utanobori, Hokkaido, Japan, Sean Ryan, Wichita, Kansas, Erin Ryan, Wichita Kansas, Luke Ryan, Orcas Island, Washington, Andy Ryan, Mt. Vernon, Washington and Mary Ryan, Seattle, Washington. She is also survived by her beloved great- grandchildren, Walker Holmes, Libby Scott, Eily Ryan, and great-step-grandchild, Ethan Schmitz. Following her husband’s untimely death in 1978, Meta moved to The Trails on Mesa Drive, in Austin. Here, she spent many hours baking as an expression of her love for her family, her community and her church, Saint Joseph Hall Chapel. Her love for the City of Austin and her community at The Trails culminated in her being recognized as one of Austin’s “Most Worthy Citizens” for her commitment to beautifying her neighborhood. The family welcomes visitors from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 15, at Weed Corley-Fish Funeral Home followed by recitation of the holy rosary at 7:30 PM. A requiem mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 16, at Weed Corley-Fish Chapel. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park. Memorial gifts may be made to The Daughters of Mary Building Fund, St Joseph’s Novitiate, P.O. Box 205, Round Top, New York, 12473. Obituary and guestbook available online at wcfish.com