Dennis "Denny" James Ryan

Dennis "Denny" James Ryan, age 54 of Melrose, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2014, at Monroe County Hospital in Albia. Denny was born September 8, 1960, to John and Anne (Lahart) Ryan. He married Carolyn Porstmann on October 31, 1987 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose, IA, and to this union 2 children were born, Allyson and Josey. Denny and Carolyn shared 26 years of marriage. Denny grew up in rural Melrose and attended school there, later attending and graduating from the Albia High School with the class of 1978. He was a farmer his whole life, and farmed the Ryan Family Century Farm. From 1977 until 1989 he drove a school bus for the Albia Community School District. He enjoyed attending NASCAR races with his friends, especially the race in Talladega. Denny served on the Monroe County Board of Supervisors from 1990-2014. He served as Chairman on the Board of Supervisors and held numerous appointments while serving, including RSVP, Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa, SCICAP, Council on Aging, Chariton Valley Rural Economic Development Board, Chariton Valley Planning & Development Board, TEA-21 Board, ADLM Emergency Management Board, ADLM Environmental Health Board, Local Board of Health, Enterprise Zone Board, Welcome Home Soldier, 28E Consortium Board, Rathbun Lake Resort Inc., and Rathbun Land & Water Alliance. Denny was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus where he served as Faithful Navigator and was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Melrose. Denny always gave 100%, and he tirelessly donated time and passion to his community while also touching many unseen lives. He was instrumental in both the development of the Honey Creek area of Lake Rathbun and also in the development of 24 hour recycling in Monroe County. Denny was a dedicated volunteer. He was very involved in Helping Hands as well as donating his time for many years to the haunted house in Albia to raise money for the after prom event. Denny had a great sense of humor. Most of all he was a devoted father, husband, and friend. Denny is survived by his wife, Carolyn of Melrose; his children, Allyson and Josey; nephews, Joe (Vicki) Ryan and Kelly (Kris) Ryan, both of Madison, WI; great nephews, Camden and Andrew; a great niece, Keira; his mother-in-law, Janet Porstmann and a brother-in-law, Rich Porstmann, both of Blue Grass, IA; a sister-in-law, Jill (Ron) Hermiston of Wheatland, IA; and an aunt, Irene Bonnett of Osceola. Denny is also survived by several other nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents; and his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Jane Ryan. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 15, 2014 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Georgetown, with Father Michael E. Volkmer, C.PP.S. officiating. Burial will follow services at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose. Visitation will be held from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, September 14, 2014 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albia, with Denny's family present throughout the day and evening. A 4:00 p.m. rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus Council #4167 and a wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m. There will also be visitation from 8-9:30 a.m. Monday morning at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Welcome Home Soldier Memorial; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Dennis "Denny" James Ryan

September 8, 1960 - September 11, 2014