Sanny Ryan

Sanny (Suzanne) Ryan, 89, Grand Forks, died gently at home on Friday, December 7, 2012. Sanny was born in Minneapolis, MN, on September 17, 1923, the only child of George and Mae (Welch) Heinrich. She graduated from Minneapolis West High School in 1941. She attended University of Minnesota for one year then completed a course at Kathryn Gibbs Business School in Chicago. On October 28, 1944 she married Gerald (Jerry) C. Ryan, Jr., in Minneapolis before he left for marine corps duty in the Pacific theater during WW II. Sanny and Jerry moved to Grand Forks in 1946 when Jerry and his brother, Tom, purchased Red River Potato Company near Gilby, ND, from Gerald C. Ryan, Sr. This eventually became Ryan Farms and Ryan Potato Company. Their marriage was blessed with 5 children: Peter (Paula), Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Casey (Beverly), Grand Forks, Sheila (Cliff) Disbrow, Raleigh, NC., Patrick (Nancy) Ryan, Grand Forks, Jerry (Karen) Ryan, Grand Forks and special family friend, Diane (Gary) Kaiser, Pelican Rapids, MN. Sanny has 17 grandchildren: Peter (Aimee) Ryan, Jr., Elizibeth (Luke) Rasmussen, Christopher Ryan, Michael (Patricia) Ryan, Catherine (Steve) Webb, John (Jessica) Ryan, Casey (Alexandra) Loyd, William Loyd, Patrick Loyd, Meaghan (Ryan) Foltz, Natalie (Ryan) Peters, Ned (Keri) Ryan, Gerald Ryan, Daniel Ryan, Kevin Ryan, Connor Ryan, and Rebecca (Derek) Mosloff. There are 11 great grandchildren. Sanny impacted many lives over the years. She was an active advisor for UND Alpha Phi sorority. Bridge friends, Antique Club, Republican women, PEO, and golf at the GF Country Club filled her extra time. Her accomplishments were many, including the fund drive (with Jerry) to build Purpur Arena in 1966. One of her passions was the development of the ND Museum of Art with Laurel Reuter. She supported development of Kings Walk Golf Course thru the GF Park Board. Recently, she established the Sanny and Jerry Center for Prevention and Genetics thru Altru Health Foundation. She was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church while healthy. She loved her Widman's chocolates, especially chippers. Sanny developed Parkinson's disease in 1987 which significantly impacted her life. Her love for family, friends, Grand Forks, and North Dakota remained strong throughout her life. She was able to live at home because of her excellent caregivers. Sanny and Jerry remained close to their West High and Minneapolis friends over the years. Sanny was preceded in in death by her parents. Jerry died suddenly in 1990. Sanny's Celebration of Life will be on December 22, 2012, 10 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1018 18th Ave. S., Grand Forks. Burial will follow at Gerald C. Ryan Family Cemetery on the Ryan Farm near Gilby, ND. Visitation will be on December 21, 2012, from 5 to 7 PM at Holy Family Catholic Church with a prayer service at 7 PM. Memorials are preferred to the Sanny and Jerry Ryan Center for Prevention and Genetics through Altru Health Foundation, ND Museum of Art, Holy Family Catholic Church, or to the charity of the donor's choice.