Mary Helene (Winterhalter) Ryan

Mary H. Winterhalter Ryan, age 85, of St. Paul, passed away on June 27, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel; her parents, Henry and Helen Winterhalter; and her beloved grandchildren, Sarah and Benjamin Ryan.

Mary is survived by her two children, Michael (Kristin) Ryan of Roseville and Anne (Joel) Anderson of Minneapolis; her grandchildren, Will and Nick Anderson, Alexander Docken, and Rachel (Docken) Moder; her great-granddaughter, Margaret Moder; her sister, Joan (Al) Kosmerl of Roseville; and many nieces and nephews. 

Mary was born and raised in St. Paul. She attended St. Luke’s Grade School, Our Lady of Peace High School and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. Mary moved to Chicago after college where she met Dan. They married in 1967 and moved to St. Paul in 1973 to raise their family. They were active members of Nativity parish. 

Mary worked as a teacher’s aide at Nativity School for thirty years, helping countless children and teachers during that time, and continued to volunteer in the classroom with her grandchildren after she retired.  Mary loved to go to her kids’ and grandkids' sporting events over the years and made many lifelong friends along the way. She enjoyed crocheting and donated many prayer blankets for those in need. She was always ready and willing to help others when needed. She also loved spending time at the cabin on Bone Lake; going on pontoon rides, playing cards, roasting marshmallows and making cherished memories together. 

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Marvella for their compassionate care and for the wonderful community they provided over the past several years.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at O'Halloran & Murphy, 575 South Snelling Avenue, St. Paul. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 1938 Stanford Avenue, St. Paul. Private interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Nativity Scholarship Fund or donor’s choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Helene (Winterhalter) Ryan, please visit our floral store.