Vincent E. Ryan

Vince Ryan passed away in his Woodbury, MN home, surrounded by family and with his beloved wife, Marianne, at his side.

To know Vince Ryan is to have experienced warmth, encouragement and a calling to ones best self. Vince’s kind and truthful manner was an open invitation to his wise counsel that many sought and received over the course of his well-lived life.

Vincent Ryan was born October 16, 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Vincent M. and Anne (Rollins) Ryan. Vince experienced a nomadic childhood as his father managed mines across North America. Vince grew up in a tight knit, loving family and shared an exceptionally close bond with his older brother, Patrick.

The Ryan family settled in Southern California in 1946. Vincent attended St. Francis high school where he was later Inducted into its football Hall of Fame. After attending Los Angeles Valley Junior College, he joined the army and travelled Europe for the first time. It was on a night train to Dusseldorf Germany with the offer of a piece of chocolate from one travel companion to another that he met his soul mate, Marianne and their beautiful love story began.

After graduating from San Jose State University, Vince went to work for State Farm Insurance. Over his 36 year career, Vince advanced to an executive position with oversight for two states. Vince’s competitive spirit and kind heart touched and influenced many.

From packing their family of seven into a station wagon and driving to Yellowstone, to flying across the globe to see the Australian Open, Vince and Marianne shared rich travel experiences with colleagues, friends and family. Vince was a devoted husband and father whose light-hearted humor, affection, love of literature, and faith shaped a beautiful family life.

Vince is survived by Marianne and his five children and their spouses; Mark Ryan of Walnut Creek, CA,  Kristin and (Tim) Gibbons of Roseville, CA, Colleen Ryan of Seattle, WA, Stephanie and (Collin) Williams of Minneapolis, MN and Andrea and (Mike) Widmer of Renton, WA. Also, his sister-in-law, Mary Ryan of Morgan Hill, CA, nephew, Patrick Ryan and niece,  Noreen Ryan, and grandchildren;  Sara Gibbons,  Matthew Gibbons,  Ryan Van Dyke, James Van Dyke,  Gabriel Williams,  Alexander Williams,  Kate Widmer and Erin Widmer.

There will be a visitation on Wednesday, May 26 from 4-7pm: O’Halloran and Murphy, 8700 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, MN. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 27 at 10am at the Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN. The Ryan family is grateful for the wisdom and care of Melissa, Christina and Nancy of the hospice care team at Health Partners. Memorial donations can be made to the Hope Fund at Health Partners and to the Poor Clares Monastery of Sauk Rapids, MN.

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