Geraldine 'Gerry' Mae Ryan, 70

Geraldine "Gerry" Mae Ryan, 70, passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at her home in Columbia Falls. Gerry, a true native Montanan, was born in Denton on March 15, 1938, to Ed and Grace Fenner.

She graduated from Denton High School in 1957, and moved to Lincoln the next summer to work at the Seven Up Dude Ranch. Gerry continued her education in Omaha, Neb., and upon completion of a two-year secretarial degree, she returned to Denton to work at the International Harvester Company.

Gerry married Jack Ryan in 1959, moved to Brush, Colo., for a few months, and then returned to Denton to start her family. Jack, Gerry, and their three children moved to Columbia Falls in 1965. Their youngest daughter was born in Whitefish three years later. Gerry raised her family in Columbia Falls, and all four of her children graduated from Columbia Falls High School.

Gerry worked as a certified nurses aide at North Valley Hospital until 1983, when she changed positions and became a certified ward secretary. She worked at the hospital for 32 years and retired in 2006.

Gerry possessed a vibrant love for life. She participated in many activities that displayed that love. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Red Hat Club. She had worked with the Shepherd's Hand Clinic since 1995, and was also very active in the North Valley Hospital Auxiliary. When she retired as the ward secretary, she became the co-manager of the gift shop at the hospital. Gerry spent a great deal of time making receiving blankets and bibs, knitting baby hats, and sewing Christmas stockings to be given to the babies born at the hospital as well as other children in need.

She donated a significant amount of time toward the Klothes Kloset, which involved making quilts and mending clothes. She had also volunteered on the Heritage Days planning committee for the past five years and donated her time in many other ways to ensure the weekend was always a success.

She spent countless hours traveling to the various sporting events of her nine grandchildren. Her love of sports and caring disposition toward others also led her to give her time coaching baseball, bowling and keeping score for various baseball and softball games. She was a board member for the Glacier Twins Legion baseball team and during that time, she also spent countless hours fundraising and running the concession stand.

Gerry held a deep love for her family and friends and she was always quick to pitch in, making a pan of rolls for a bazaar, mending clothing, and donating her time to get things done. She was the most kind, generous, loving, patient wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Grace Fenner; and her brothers, Chuck and Larry Fenner.

Gerry is survived by her sister, Janet, and Matt McConville, of Columbia Falls; four children, Sonya Graham of Columbia Falls, Kip and Jane Ryan of Big Timber, Clete and Brenda Ryan of Clarkston, and Tonya and Kirk Atlee of Kalispell; and nine grandchildren, Dirk and Gage Graham of Columbia Falls, Daniel, Kayla and Michael Ryan of Big Timber, Kierra Ryan of Clarkston, and Shayna, Hannah, and Alivia Atlee of Kalispell. She also leaves behind numerous other family members and friends.

A memorial service celebrating Gerry's life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls. A reception will be after the service, and a graveside service at Woodlawn Cemetery will be after the reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Gerry Ryan Memorial Scholarship Fund may be sent to the United Methodist Church, Box 27, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. This permanent fund will be used to fund scholarships for college-bound students who attend the church.