Jeanie Rose Ryan

Jean Rose Ryan was born in Yankton, SD, on January 22, 1953, to Patrick and Marvel (Thorson) Ryan. She passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family and friends, on July 26, 2025, at the age of 72.

A celebration of life will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 2 at Goglin Funeral Home in Yankton. Inurnment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Yankton.

She attended Yankton School District, graduating in 1971. Jeanie married Wally Connell on September 3, 1972, in Guadalupe, Mexico. They lived their entire married life on the farm northeast of Yankton, SD. Four children were born to this union.

Jeanie was mostly known for being a beloved mother and grandmother, but in her earlier days, she worked at Gurneys in Yankton, tending to the garden. She later enjoyed tending to her own garden on the farm, where she also raised chickens, goats, and rabbits. Most of her life was spent raising her four children and spoiling her 13 grandkids. She enjoyed baking, playing cards with the kids, and, most notably, was an incredible storyteller with a great sense of humor.

Later in life, she loved a good weekend of rummage sales with friends. She had an engaging smile when attending weekly Bible study and trivia. She also loved hosting daily coffee with her friends.

Jeanie is survived by her former husband of 20 years, Wally Connell; children: Patrick (Rosanna) Connell, Champlain, MN, Kelly (Tim) Reynolds, Yankton, SD, Allison (Tony) Goeden, Wausa, NE, and Michael (Kristen) Connell, Rapid City, SD; grandchildren: Richard (Mikenzie) Culver, Jacob Reynolds, Alexis Reynolds, Olivia (Kyle) Lucht, Abbigail, Alexandra, and Lillian Schmidt, Bella, Diego, Terrance, Arielle, Finley and Steele Connell; sister, Joan (Tim) Branaugh; nieces, nephews and special friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Marvel Ryan. Jeanie's warmth, generosity, and sense of humor will be greatly missed.