Mildred Ryan

Born: Jan. 9, 1915; in RiversideDied: Feb. 9, 2007; in EolaShe was a former postmaster, and loved gardeningEOLA - Mildred Ryan, 92, of Eola, passed away peacefully at her home Friday, Feb. 9, 2007. Although she had hoped to be truly "home" for Christmas, or perhaps in heaven by her birthday on Jan. 9, her prayers were answered in time for Valentine's Day. It has been nearly 12 years since her husband, Richard, passed away, but now, valentine hearts are united once more, and loved ones on both sides of heaven rejoice.She was born Jan. 9, 1915, in Riverside, the daughter of Henry Peter and Ruby Christina (Crowe) Dieke. Mildred's family made their home in LaGrange, and Mildred graduated from Riverside High School with the class of 1932. She met her husband, Richard, at a dance in Brookfield. A romance began that bloomed into matrimony on Feb. 29, 1936, at Crown Point, Ind. They made their home on Emerald Street, "Back of the Yards," until 1947, when they moved to the Aurora area. By 1952, they had built their present family home in Eola, where they both lived the rest of their lives. When they first moved to Eola, Mildred worked at the Rebers Factory, " ... making the best butter beans in the world!" Later, she also worked at the Dial Company soap factory in Aurora. In the early 1970s, Mildred began working at the Eola post office and, a few years later, became the postmaster. It was a position she held proudly until her retirement. She was a member of the Big Woods Congregational Church in Eola, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She wrote poems and found many ways to make learning interesting and memorable.Well-read in scripture and always growing in her faith, Mildred enjoyed sharing her faith and exploring it with others. She kept a diary for many years, recording everything from the weather and mundane things of her everyday, to accounts of family gatherings, great and small. Interestingly, she wrote with a grace that somehow never saw the bad times as bad. She simply gave thanks for each day. Mildred also loved gardening. Her gorgeous clematis climbed the backyard wall, while beautiful peonies spilled over the walkway among rows of roses and a single patch of rhubarb, just for flavor. Ironically, there was a "Little Johnny Jump Up" that grew bravely through a broken table. To this day, in the middle of winter, it still stands, and loved ones say it is the very epitome of Mildred's own spirit. Mildred loved to take family and friends on a tour of the garden. Open-minded and fascinated by new knowledge, she always was learning and swapping garden secrets with friends. Coffee was the elixir of her life, and even when the doctors weren't so sure she should continue drinking it, she did - especially caramel truffle, and she defiantly enjoyed every last drop! Always determined to do things herself, Mildred shoveled her own walks, learned the computer, and, in later years, would venture fearlessly to the basement or attic, knowing full well that she was in trouble if caught by her family.She is survived by four children, Daniel (Barbara) Ryan of Columbia, Calif., Nancy Susemiehl of Sullivan, John (Barbara) Ryan of Plano, and Richard (Sharon) Ryan of Naperville; eight grandchildren, Christy (Bill) Bochte of Champaign; Darlene (Craig) Lambert of Montgomery, Gigi (Paul) Arena of Rockford; Beth (Scott) Bailey of Newport Coast, Calif., Kathy (Erik) Josephson of Bakersfield, Calif., Michael Ryan of San Rafael, Calif., Jenny (Jim) Zarosly of Plainfield, and Steve Ryan of Villa Park; 12 great grandchildren, Andrew, Melissa and Kayla Bochte, Matthew, Ryan and Zachary Lambert, Erica and Jonathon Arena, Daniel and Aaron Bailey, and Evan and Anna Josephson.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard; one sister, Lilian Henrickson; two brothers, Louis and William Dieke and; one son-in-law, Paul Susemiehl.The visitation will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Valentine's Day, Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, with funeral services to follow at noon.The Rev. William Moxey will officiate, and interment will follow at Blackberry Cemetery, Elburn.A memorial has been established in Mildred's name to benefit her favorite charities. Memorial checks may be made to the Mildred Ryan Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories also may be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information, call (800) 8-CONLEY.Sign the guest book at www.KCChronicle.com/obits