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BORN
1923
DIED
2025
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Alice Ryan Obituary
December 30, 1923 - February 25, 2025
MADISON - Alice C. Ryan, age 101, died peacefully Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at her home in Madison. She was born on December 30, 1923, in Stoughton, the daughter of Andrew and Ida (Dahlen) Fossen.
She was raised on the family farm during the Depression. After graduating from high school, Alice lived for a short time in Colorado. She returned to Wisconsin and in 1946 completed her nursing degree at Milwaukee County General Hospital School of Nursing. Alice moved to Madison and worked at Madison General Hospital (now Meriter), retiring in 1986. Alice married John L. Ryan in October 1951. They had six children. Alice was a strong supporter of establishing the nurses' union. She worked the night shift at the hospital to provide for her children, be with them at dinner and to make sure they did their schoolwork in the evening.
Alice was a long-time member of St. James Catholic Church/Good Shepherd Parish in Madison. She enjoyed volunteering at church luncheons and rolling pfefferneuse each fall. She volunteered for school hot lunches and chaperoned field trips when her children were students at St. James.
Alice enjoyed reading, walking, playing Euchre, Brewers baseball and Wisconsin basketball. She was strong, steadfast, humble, and caring. She was resilient before it became a thing.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Ilene (Harry) Reese, Marjorie (Tony) Ring, Karen (Jim) Tracy, Violet (Russell) Anderson; her brothers, Irvin (Blanche) Fossen, Clayton (Jeannett) Fossen, Earl (Helen) Fossen; and her daughter-in-law, Gayle.
Alice is survived by her children, Pat, Tom, Teresa (Joel), Kathy (Alexey), Jean (Bill) and Dan (Robin); grandchildren, Jenni, Jeff, Katrina, Ben, Nate, Haddie; great-grandchildren, Harmony, Alex and Bailey.
Special thanks to caregivers, who provided a special quality of life for Alice in her final years.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025, at Resurrection Cemetery Chapel, 2705 Regent St, Madison, WI. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
5701 Odana Road
608-274-1000
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Alice Ryan
Sponsored by Ryan Funeral Home - West Side Chapel - Madison.
1 Entry
Gregory L Sheehy MD
March 4, 2025
I do remember Alice, particularly during my early years of medical practice at Madison General Hospital (starting in 1977).
It did not take me long to recognize that she was a high quality health care provider. Her nursing skills were excellent. But the way she took care of patients was special; hands-on, with compassion, a positive attitude, and superb professionalism. I did not know that she had helped start the nurses union, but I wish I had known. She represented the best of the best in fairness & work ethic.
Pax Te Cum-
Gregory Sheehy
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Ryan Funeral Home - West Side Chapel - Madison5701 Odana Road, Madison, WI 53719
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