Mavis A Ryan

Mavis A. Ryan, 79, of Sioux Center, Iowa died Monday, July 9 at the Royale Meadows Care Center of Sioux Center.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 12, 2018 from 6-7PM with a 7pm prayer service at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center with Rev. David Smit officiating.

 A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 15, 2018, from 7-9PM at the Myers Funeral Home of Linton, ND.

 A graveside Service will be held at 10:00AM on Monday, July 16, 2018 at the Hull Cemetery in Hull, ND.   

Mavis Arlene (Nieuwsma) Ryan entered her eternal home on July 9, 2018 at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center, IA.

Mavis was born to Cornie and Rena (Haak) Nieuwsma on July 11, 1938.  She was the oldest of 7 children and was raised on a farm near Hull, ND.  She attended country elementary school and graduated from Strasburg Public High School in 1956.  Following graduation, she moved to Chicago, IL and continued to live there for 48 years.  She was employed by various companies in downtown Chicago doing clerical work.  She retired from Material Service Corporation after 20 years of service.

 Mavis was married to Richard Ryan on March 20, 1971.  Richard passed away on March 28, 1998.

 Mavis was very involved in the Greenstone United Methodist Church in Chicago.  She lovingly held many offices in service to Greenstone church.

 Mavis was an avid reader, so it was devastating when she lost much of her eyesight in 2004.  She then decided to retire in Sioux Center, IA where she could be close to family members.  She became a beloved grandmother figure to her many nephews and nieces.   She enjoyed her apartment at the New Homestead where she lived for 14 years and became a member of the resident board.  She loved going out for lunch or dinner with family members and friends.

 Left to cherish her memory are her siblings:    Betty (Bob) Schnaible of Belle Fourche, SD; Allen (Judy) Nieuwsma of Strasburg, ND; Carol (Glenn) Haan of Weston, WV; Evelyn (Rodney) DeBoer of Prinsburg, MN; Kathy (Gerald) Droog and John (Cindy) Nieuwsma both of Sioux Center, IA along with her nephews and nieces.

 Mavis was preceded in death by her parents: Cornie and Rena Nieuwsma; and her husband, Richard Ryan.