Jo Ellen Ellen Ryder

Jo Ellen Ryder, 62, passed away August 3, 2025. She was born November 8, 1962 to Truman and Ellen (Miller) Parker in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jo graduated from Derby High School in 1981 and attended Wichita State University and Southwestern College earning her master's degree in computer science.

Jo had many passions in her life including animals, sewing, helping others, and teaching. The land she grew up on allowed her to foster a love of animals. One of her early childhood animals included a pony named Joker. There was not a time in her life that she was not caring for animals. She volunteered at Lifeline Animal Placement and Protection (LAPP), a no kill animal shelter for many years. Jo learned to sew from her mom and was an incredibly talented seamstress. As her daughters were growing up, she made most of their clothes. She also made clothes for friends and family and several wedding dresses. While working at a JoAnn's Fabric store, she passionately sharing her knowledge and helped customers get just what they needed.

However, Jo's deepest passion was helping people. She was not happy unless she could help others. In every job or activity she helped plan, organize, and make life better for those she encountered. Her desire to help others led to a career in teaching. Jo began her teaching career as a para educator. Her desire to foster children's education led to obtain an advanced teaching certificate. She taught math and technology at Life Prep Academy in addition to being an adjunct professor at Wichita State. In both roles she taught kids to prepare for life and several of her high school students prepared for college level courses. Jo was completely dedicated to her school and students working up to the last few weeks of her life in preparation for the upcoming school year.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents Truman and Ellen (Miller) Parker. Jo Ellen is survived by her husband of 14 years, Robert Ryder; daughters, Brianna Cates and Sydney Cates; brother, Bruce and sister-in-law Barbara Parker.

Visitation: 2-4pm on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at Smith Family Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Rd. Derby, Kansas 67037. Service: 10:00am on Monday, August 11, 2025 at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 6770 E. 34th St. N. Wichita, Kansas 67226. Interment to follow at 12pm at White Chapel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to school supplies for Life Prep Academy, 915 East 53rd St N, Wichita, KS 67219 or Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 6770 E 34th St N, Wichita, KS 67226 or and LAPP (LifeLine Animal Placement & Protection), 310 W. 45th Street No., Wichita, Ks. 67204.