It is with great sorrow to share that our mother Loreta Jeanne Ryan, born July 3, 1936 to Damian and Orien Hill Walker passed away peacefully on Monday February 6, 2023 while in Hospice Care at The Gardens of Barry Road surrounded by family. Loreta was born on the family farm in Moline, Kansas and attended Pleasant Hill Country School; a one room schoolhouse during her formative years.
Loreta was a member of the Moline High School Class of 1953. Following high school she began her career with TWA where she met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Ryan who proceeded her in death in 2016. Loreta and Dick raised their family on Lake Waukomis for 50 years. Together with Dick, they were involved in several successful businesses north of the river, including The Pizza Shoppe Franchise, headquartered in Platte Woods and Ryan’s Kerry Patch. She was director of St. Therese choir beginning in 1966 for several decades. She was a member of the St.Therese Altar and Rosary Society, and was instrumental in helping organize the Annual Bread Bake; a much cherished event. Along with Dick, they were one of the few married couples who were both Red Coaters for the Kansas City Chiefs. Loreta was involved in The Rotten Apple Community Theatre in Parkville during the 1970’s.
She married Dick on October 15, 1955 in Moline, KS. Her survivors include six children, Cathy Kirkpatrick (Mark),Kansas City, MO, Angie Bales, Tulsa, OK, Billy Ryan (Margaret) Osmond, NE, Danny Ryan (Ida) Kansas City, MO, Phil Ryan (Leanne), Parkville, MO, and Tommy Ryan, Kansas City, MO. 19 grandchildren 19 Great Grandchildren, and 6 siblings, Billy Rex Walker , Earl Joe Walker, Margie Dunn, Marlene Edgington and Beth Llafet. Loreta was preceded in death by her parents: her husband Dick, one daughter Pattie Corwin, one brother Phil Walker and one grandson Kevin Ryan.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m., Friday February 10, 2023 at St. Therese Catholic Church and the family will receive friends from 4–6pm followed by Mass. Private burial on Saturday at Resurrection Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to The St. Therese Altar and Rosary Society as well as Ascend Hospice Care for their loving support and care. Meyers Northland Chapel in Parkville has been entrusted with the final arrangements.
I was honored to know this sweet lady.
I remember Mrs Ryan with a beautiful smile and kindness for everyone. From St. Therese , the Pizza Shoppe and the Kerry Patch. Love the Ryan family! My thoughts and prayers for God’s comfort and peace during this difficult time.
God bless you a dear friend from London UK who had the benefit of your hospitality and generous
selflessness . You had a great husband family and a life that does not evolve anymore .
Thank you Bill Kelly
Very lovely lady. I know her family will truly miss her. Thanks for the honor of knowing her.
Loreta was quite a lady. She was my cousin and I was around her when she was growing up on the farm. She worked hard when a girl and was so much fun besides. Very spirited and enjoyed adding fun to situations. She was the big sister to those Walker kids and they always looked up to her. Then when the little Ryans came along, a great Mama! She and Dick traveled with us to Europe several times, and it was always a blast! I loved her sense of humor.
My sympathy to her whole family.
Sorry for your loss .She is a beautiful lady
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ryan Family.
Heartfelt condolences to the Ryan family. Heaven has received a fabulous Lady .
Cathy, Please know you have my sympathy in your heartbreaking loss of your Mother. I wish I could hug you.
Love, Gerry Rhodes
First class, tough as nails, blessed to know, great respect. Love to the family 🙏
My condolences to the Ryan family. They touched so many people in the Kansas City Northland. I think of them everytime I drive on Prairie View Road and still occasionally eat at the original Pizza Shoppe in Platte Woods (New location on opposite side of building.)
We are so sad to hear this news. The Ryan family has been quite a big part of this community as well as a part of our lives. Condolences to the family and may she rest in peace ☮️
With love
Jack & Tammy Johnston
My sincere condolences to the Ryan family. I counted Pattie as a dear friend. Unfortunately, I met Loretta late in her life. I would have loved to hear her stories. Prayers for the family to help deal with their loss.
The one thing I remember the most about my sister Loreta is the day that she and I went bug hunting down at Murphy’s Creek. This was a science project of hers for Moline high school.
I think we spent the whole day turning over every rock that we could fine looking for bugs. I will always be grateful for the day that I spent just her and me having a good time.
Loretta and Dick couldn’t have been nicer or more welcoming to us when we moved into Grand Pines in 2014. They even invited us to join them for Thanksgiving dinner very soon after we met. I wish we had known them longer before Dick passed away. But we now have the privilege of knowing & enjoying both Cathy & Margie, two great ladies. Sending our condolences to the Ryan family. We know Loretta will be greatly missed.
Margie & Phil King
Loreta was amazing! Not a piece of music she couldn’t sit down & play. Loved singing in the choir with her as director; she could bring so much feeling out of any anthem . Worked us hard , but always with a joyful smile . Thank you for sharing your mom with your church & community so we could love her too.
I had the privilege of living next door to Loretta &Dick in Florida , just the greatest people, I feel blessed🙏 A beautiful family, until we meet again ☘️❤️
Tommy and Family — so sorry to learn of your Mother’s passing.
Our sincere condolences to you and your entire family.
Dave and Adrienne Renton
My thoughts and prayers to the Ryan family. Loretta was so loved in the St. Therese family and to all who knew her. I remember many fun times with her and Dick. May her memories be a blessing.
So many long ago wonderful memories of all the shared events at St. Therese…and the great times we always had at the Kerry Patch. Dick and Loreta always had a smile for everyone and such fun stories. Those indeed were the good ole days. My deepest sympathies to all the Ryan children and family. God bless you Loreta.
So sorry for your loss! She was a fun person that made me smile ear to ear every time we spoke. She seemed to have that effect on everyone, including the entire STS choir who were all smiles as she led them in mass each week, and when they closed with, Our God Reigns, she had everyone smiling leaving the
church! 😁☝️💞.
A lovely lady. Glad I knew her.
Loretta and Dick were wonderful neighbors in Florida. St. Patrick’s Day party in grand pines wad one of my favorite holidays. Loretta ‘s smile and welcoming hospitality blended perfectly with the Dick’s cooking in the garage and on the grill. Loretta was always so kind to me. Just running into her at the mailbox made my day a little brighter. Sending deepest condolences to the family.
So sorry to read this. May she rest in peace.
Loretta and Dick were the heart of Grand Pines. They were so welcoming to all and had the best St. Patty’s Day party. May her loving memory live in our heats until we met again. Condolences to you all.
My sincere condolences on Loretta’s passing.
She was a kind and beautiful lady.
Thanks for great St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Grand Pines.
Peace,
Donna Dunne
Always loved golfing with her. Her stories about their family trips in the Winnebago were priceless. Rest in peace lovely lady
I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that your sweet memories bring you comfort and healing.
I did not have the pleasure of knowing Dick and met Loretta a few times with Margie at HR She was a beautiful woman. A life well lived is certain after reading her obituary. Margie and Cathy and family, please know you are thought of as you grieve with prayers of healing. May God Bless you all.
40 years ago last October I took a young lady I had met the night before to the Kerry Patch for Shrimp Guinness. She was TWA Management and trained flight attendants. We have been together ever since after that “special” date and; though we didn’t personally know Dick and Loreta we appreciated their wonderful restaurant and are greatly saddened to hear of her passing.
Both Dick and Loretta were loved by me and many other Hunters Ridges Members and will always be remembered for the wonderful, thoughtful, giving people they were. The sausage gifts were always so special and Kathy didn’t let that die. The family will be in my prayers and hope the wonderful memories will always be in there heart. Love Peggy
Both Dick and Loretta were wonderful, loving, giving people and memories of them will live on, I will miss the sausage Kathy. Love Peggy
Dick, Loreta, and my parents were friends for 50+ years. One by one they have gone to the great beyond, but I cherish the memories. Since Pattie’s passing we have lost touch with the family, but they are still close in our hearts. My mother and Loreta were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at about the same time. It is a tough disease for everyone involved and I am happy that she has been released to the arms of God. My condolences to all of the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.