Mary L. "Babe" Ryan

Mary L. "Babe" Ryan, age 95, of Dubuque, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Stonehill Health Center surrounded by her family. To celebrate Babe's life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., on Friday, August 8, 2025, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., on Friday at Holy Spirit Parish, Sacred Heart Church, 2215 Windsor Avenue, with Rev. Raymond A. Burkle officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Babe was born on July 28, 1930, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the daughter of Emil and Gladys (Michel) Arthofer.
Babe was born in South Dakota, but the family moved to Dubuque when she was 2 weeks old. She was baptized at Sacred Heart Church, and has been a member there ever since. Babe graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy, Class of 1949. She took vocal lessons at school. She sang in the children's choir at church, and later with the adult choir as a soprano and alto. She married her true love, Donald J. Ryan, on March 31, 1951, at Sacred Heart Church in Dubuque. They raised a lovely family together, and were married for almost 53 years, before Don preceded her in death on January 9, 2004. Babe was a devoted wife and mom, but also worked at the Dubuque Packing Company, the Wedding Embassy as a sales consultant and lastly at Betty Jane Candies. Babe loved bowling. She competed in league for several years and was a member of the Dubuque Bowling Association. Babe also enjoyed spending time at the family cottage in Bellevue, fishing and playing cards with her family. Her family was her pride and joy! She was especially proud of her titles of grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma! All of Babe's family members knew just how special they were to her. She was a kind-hearted and sweet woman who will be greatly missed by those who loved her.
Those left to cherish Babe's memory include
her children,
Larry (Kathy) Ryan, Dubuque, IA,
Lynn (Steve) Lyons, Bernard, IA,
Patti (James) Beyer, Dubuque, IA,
Peggy (Todd) Christ, East Dubuque, IL,
Donna (Tim) Norton, Dubuque, IA
and Terry (Stacey) Ryan, Centennial, CO;
her grandchildren,
Jessica (Matt Rathe) DeSotel, Jenn Ryan, Jill (Peter) Hancock, Jeff (Abbey) Ryan, Craig (Rachel) Lyons, Tom (Sabra) Lyons, Cole Lyons, Travis (Brianna) Lyons, Cali (Nick) Sorbe, Stacy (Brian) Raap, Ryan (Lindsey) Beyer, Nicole (Mark Beatty) Christ, Danielle Friedman, Amanda (Austin) Dickau, Amanda (Peter) McMahon, Riley Fern, Jack Ryan and Bryn Ryan;
36 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Babe was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald Ryan; a sister, Shirley (Marvin) Faley; a brother, Donald (Betty) Arthofer; and her in-laws, Raymond and Grace Ryan.
Babe's family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Stonehill for taking excellent care of her these past years. Also, a special thanks to Hospice of Dubuque for their kind and compassionate care of Babe in her final days.
Cards and memorials in Babe's memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Mary "Babe" Ryan Family.