Helen C. Ryan

MARQUETTE, MI - Helen C. Ryan, age 92, of Marquette, entered eternal life Thursday morning, February 23, 2023, at home, in the loving, comforting care of her family and UP Home Health and Hospice. Born December 14, 1930, in Marquette, a daughter of Walter and Elsie (Larsson) Baer, Helen was raised in Marquette and later moved with her family to Hales Corners, Wisconsin. She attended high school in Milwaukee, where she loved being involved in music, graduating in 1948. Following graduation, Helen was employed at The First Wisconsin National Bank of Milwaukee before moving back to Marquette and being employed with the Union National Bank. She was united in marriage to Terry Ryan and together the couple established their home and raised four daughters. Helen re-entered the workforce and was employed in the bakery at Jack's IGA on North Third St. When Jacks was sold, she stayed with the company as it transitioned to Festival Foods and finally Super One Foods where she retired in 1996. She was a dedicated employee, known for her dependability, work ethic and commitment to the customers. Family and home remained her top priority as it was the place her children were raised and where many memories were created through the years with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout her life, Helen possessed a strong faith in God, a thirst for knowledge, and exhibited unconditional love, all virtues and values she passed on to her children and grandkids. When her children were small, Helen taught Sunday School and sang in the choir at Messiah Lutheran Church. Her love of music began in her home growing up as she, her father and siblings all played musical instruments. In her leisure, Helen was an avid reader, enjoyed working word challenges, watching Jeopardy and The Incredible Dr. Pol on television, but most of all spending time with her grandkids and great-grandkids and following their activities. She lived at her home on Crescent Street for 64 years where she enjoyed sitting on her front porch and listening to the sounds of her grandkids laughing and playing in the yard. At the time of her passing, she was looking forward to the birth of her tenth great-grandchild.
A loving, devoted, and proud mother and grandmother, Helen is survived by her daughters, Susan Flannery, Janice Bur, Patricia Ryan, and Kathleen Ryan; her grandchildren, Nicole (Travis) Grim, Jessica (Michael) Serman, Andrew (Danielle) Flannery, Alex Flannery, Daniel (Amy) Dagenais, Michael (Juli) Ryan; and great-grandchildren, Royce, Cadyn, Brody, Dylan, Connor, Everly, Ella, Nora, Tallula, and a great-grandson on the way.
In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her former husband, Terry Ryan; her sister, Mary Kay Sailer; brother, Richard Baer; nephew, Walter R. Baer and grandson, Ryan Todd Bur.
The family will receive relatives and friends at Messiah Lutheran Church on Sunday, March 5th beginning at 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at 1:30 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Andrew Plocher along with family friend Rev. Jon Magnuson will officiate. A light luncheon will follow the service in Magnuson Hall at Messiah Lutheran Church.
Helen's celebration of Life will be live-streamed at bit.ly/helenryanfuneral
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 42, Memphis, TN 38148 or Messiah Lutheran Church.
Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com