Thomas Ryan

Thomas Gorman Ryan, age 83, of Red Wing, died Tuesday, May 16, 2006, at his home. He was born on November 10, 1922, in Belle Creek Township, the son of William and Julia (Gorman) Ryan. He was a 1940 graduate of Goodhue High School, and served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. After the war, he farmed for two years with his brother, Richard. He married Grace E. Hawke on April 26, 1949, in Melbourne, Florida. He worked for Super Valu for seven years and then owned and operated Red Wing Distributing Company for 27 years, retiring in 1984. They spent winters in Mesa, Arizona, for the past twenty years. He was on the Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Board of Directors for 12 years, serving as President for one year; a member of St. Joseph?s Catholic Church, where he was 3rd and 4th Degree member and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus; Red Wing Elks Lodge # 845, and the City of Red Wing Charter Commission for three years. He was the 25th St. Patrick?s Day Irish King, volunteered with the Red Wing Area Food Shelf, Meals on Wheels and volunteered many hours at St. Joseph?s Church. His hobbies included woodworking, gardening and playing cards. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend. Survivors include his wife, Grace, of Red Wing; six children, Randal (Debra) Ryan of Hager City, Susan (Robert Wilson) Ryan of Red Wing, Debra (Kenneth) Jeske of Red Wing, JoAn (Jon) Bittner of Crookston, Robert (Carol) Ryan of Red Wing and Timothy (Kirsten) Ryan of St. Louis Park; fourteen grandchildren; two brothers, John (June) Ryan of Rockland, California and Richard (Helen) Ryan of Goodhue. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Ashley Bittner. Funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Friday at the Church of St. Joseph with Father Thomas Kommers, Father John Fitzpatrick and Father Roger Hessian officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Ben, Alex, Miles, Andy, Nick, Kellie, Zach and Amelia Ryan; Amanda Bush, Bridgette and Matt Jeske, Mark, Ryan and Paul Bittner. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel, with a 7 p.m. prayer service, and one hour prior to the time of services Friday at the church. Memorials are preferred to Red Wing Hospice or St. Joseph?s School.