James Thomas Ryan

James “Jim” Thomas Ryan of Pine City, Minnesota passed away peacefully during the early morning hours on Wednesday, August 17, 2017.Jim was born on August 27, 1928 in Huchinson, Minnesota; the first of six children born to Walter “Jim” and Naomi (Calundan) Ryan.  Jim’s family lived in Corvuso, Minnesota, a small community west of Hutchinson.  When Jim was 13 years old, the family moved to Cedar Mills, Minnesota.  Jim graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1946.  While a senior, he met and fell in love with Ardythe Swanson.  They married on November 17, 1946.  Jim and Ardythe had seven children.  With a young wife and small children, Jim moved to Clements where he was a partsman at an International Harvester Dealership.  Another move for the family took them to Glencoe where Jim commuted to Hutchinson to work at 3M.  Jim took a short break from 3M to operate a Truck Stop in Litchfield.  He returned to work for 3M and eventually transferred to Pine City where he continued to work until he retired in 1989.Retirement was a joy for Jim.  During these years he golfed, fished and traveled.  Within ten years of retirement, Jim and Ardythe had visited all lower 48 states.  He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and they loved him in return.  Jim and Ardythe spent the last 25 winters in Arizona.  It had become their second home and they purchased a home in Apache Junction in 2008.  Jim loved the activities there and became involved in many of them.  He would go “down to the clubhouse” to play cards with the “guys” sometimes four times a week.  Jim loved his family and made lifelong friends wherever he went.Jim will be especially missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, his large extended family, and many wonderful friends.Jim is survived by his wife Ardythe Ryan of Pine City; children Mary (Donald) Schmidt of Buffalo, Deberah (Mark) Holmquist of Coon Rapids, Michael (Kris) Ryan of Mora, Kathleen (Donald) Coyour of Mankato, Ann (Daniel) Peterson of Pine City; 19 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; siblings Jean (Mike) Schmitz of Cokato and Janice Ryan of St. Cloud; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Naomi Ryan; infant daughter Theresa Ryan; daughter Peggy Ryan-Christian; sisters Joan Ryan, Margaret Kensinger, Marlys Olson. Monsignor Aleksander Suchan will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Jim: 10:30 AM; Tuesday (8/22/17) at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beroun.  A time of visitation and reviewal is planned Monday (8/21/17) 5-8 PM at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City City and one hour prior to the Mass at the church.  The Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 7:30 PM.  The interment will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Pine City. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City~Swanson Chapel. www.FuneralAndCremationService.com