Elmer J. Ryan Jr.

Elmer J. Ryan Jr., 86, of Independence, died Sunday, June 7, 2015 at Gundersen Tri-County Care Center, Whitehall with his wife and three daughters by his side. Elmer was born January 30, 1929 in Lincoln Township, Trempealeau County, to Elmer and Florence (Kurth) Ryan Sr. He married Theresa R. Jurowski on October 1, 1952 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, North Creek. He was proud to serve his country in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1951-1953. The couple farmed in Lincoln Township until retirement in 2000 when they moved to Independence. The family farm was purchased by a daughter at that time. He was a proud owner of Allis-Chalmers tractors and most of those stayed in the family. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and his favorite hunting partner was John Mathson. Elmer was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Whitehall and a member of Sura-Wiersgalla American Legion Post 186. Survivors include his wife, Theresa of Whitehall; three daughters, Rebecca (Roger) Bautch of Whitehall, Rita (David) Hovey of Independence and Audrey (special friend, David Grulkowski) Haas of Whitehall; siblings, Lucille Manka, Wallace (Shirley) Ryan and Shirley (John) Mathson all of Whitehall; seven grandchildren, Ryan (Tiffany) and John (Kylee) Bautch, Sarah (Paul) Engstrand, Kevin (Beth) Hovey, Stephanie (fiancé, Jake Edwards) Maug, Ryan and Hayley Haas; eight great-grandchildren, Bentley, Zoey, Mason and Maverick Bautch, Emily, Rachael and Soren Hovey and Ayla Edwards. He was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Broney Manka. Funeral service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, with Very Rev. Woodrow H. Pace officiating. Burial with military rights will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Lincoln Cemetery, Whitehall. Visitation will be 4 p.m. until time of services Wednesday at the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elmer J. Ryan Jr., please visit our flower store.