Kenneth Wilfred Ryan
Kenneth Wilfred Ryan, 97, Monroe City, Mo., passed away Thursday morning, Aug, 12. 2021, at Monroe City Manor.
Kenneth was born in Grantsdale, Mont., April 7, 1924, to Lewis Ryan and Vivian (Vance) Ryan in the home of his maternal grandparents. He was raised by his father and paternal grandparents, Frank and Elizabeth (Klein) Ryan following the death of his mother in 1925.
Kenneth Wilfred Ryan
Kenneth moved to Marion County, Mo., in September 1924. He was a lifetime grain and cattle farmer raising registered black-angus cattle until his retirement in 2003.
Kenneth was drafted into the United States Army in 1944, serving the 124th Cavalry Regiment, which was the last cavalry division of the U.S. Army. He served his country in World War II in China, Burma and India.
Kenneth was an agent for the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company for over 20 years.
He was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church of Monroe City, a member of the Knights of Columbus, Farmers Elevator and Missouri Angus Association and served on the board of Monroe City Manor.
On November 7, 1981, Kenneth married Minnie Rockwood James, who preceded him in death in 2002.
He was preceded in death by his parents, paternal grandparents and maternal grandparents, John and Ethel Vance; his step-mother, Rose Ellen (Kelly Hightower) Ryan; his step-brother, Parker J. Hightower; and a step-son, Charles E. James.
He is survived by a step-sister-in-law, Jane Hightower, Oklahoma; one step-daughter and step son-in-law, Connie Broemmer (Don), Hannibal; three step-nieces, Kelly Hightower (Mike), Oklahoma; Monica Allen (Richard); Oklahoma; Samanda Kilgo (Chuck), Oklahoma; and two step-nephews, Joe Hightower (Linda), Wisconsin; and Lance Hightower (Brooke) Oklahoma.
Also surviving Kenneth are four step-granddaughters, Lisa Davidson (Lowell), Florida; Rebecca Frisella, St. Louis; Tammy Saitta (Joe), Kansas; and Shawna Roberts, Weatherby Lake; and one step-grandson, Charles E. James (Meghan), Kansas.
He had 15 step-great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, step-great-nieces and step-great-nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial was held Monday, Aug. 16, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Burial was at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Lowell Schachtseik, David Moss, Carl Thompson, Phil Thompson, Pat Kelly, Larry Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers are Jim Lear, Charles Bohrer, Larry Abel and David Lemen.
Memorialss may be made to Monroe City Nutrition Center, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Holy Rosary Catholic School or a charity of your choice.
