Joe Ryan, age 96, of Gaylord and formerly of Green Isle, passed away  at Oak Terrace Health Care of Gaylord on Saturday, July 13.  
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Green Isle at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 19.
Serving as casket bearers for the funeral are Joe’s grandsons, Jeff Ryan, John Ryan, Sean Ryan, Jim Ryan, Ryan Henke and Connor Wickenhauser.
Visitation will be held   from 9:30 a.m. until Mass time at the church on Friday, July 19.  
Interment will be in St. Brendan’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date.  
Joe was born to John “Jack” and Kathryn “Kitty” (Kiernan) Ryan in Jessenland Township on July 16, 1922. He married Rita Magner at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown on Feb. 12, 1945. Joe and Rita lived on and farmed the Ryan family farm in Jessenland Township until they moved to assisted living in Gaylord in 2012. He also worked at Eaton Corporation in Eden Prairie for 20 years. Joe loved horses and dogs, telling stories from the past and visiting with everybody. Joe also supported the Democratic Party his entire life.
Joe is survived by his sons, Jack (Louise) Ryan of Woodbury, Pat Ryan (special friend Darlene Weckwerth) of Green Isle, and Terry (Janelle) Ryan of Gaylord; daughters, Maureen (Fred) Bullert of Gaylord, Sheila (Rich) Henke of Arlington, and Joann (Ron) Wickenhauser of Cologne; 15 grandchildren; 16 great- grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sisters-in-law, Mary Nolan, Francis Magner, and Leona Magner; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Rita; son, Michael; grandson, Jason; great-granddaughter, MaKaila; parents; parents-in-law, Mike and Esther Magner; sister, Jeanette Weldon; brothers-in-law, John Weldon, Jim Nolan, Mike “Bud” Magner, John Magner, and Pete Campbell; and sister-in-law, Helen Campbell.