Alta L. Ryan, 92, of Baker City, died Dec. 10, 2006, at St. Elizabeth Care Center.
Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Haines Methodist Church. Viewing will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before the service. Interment will be at North Powder Cemetery.
Alta was born on June 11, 1914, at North Powder to William E. and Alma E. Lund. She attended school in North Powder and graduated from North Powder High School. She continued her education at Eastern Oregon State College (now Eastern Oregon University at La Grande).
She married Albert Harrison and they had three sons, Darwin, Larry and Veryl. They later divorced and she married Jack Ryan. They had a son, Bill, and daughter, Mary Lou.
The family worked hard raising chickens and a large garden. Alta worked outside the home at St. Elizabeth Hospital and later at the Haines Post Office, retiring from both.
With life beginning to slow, she “blanketed” her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren with love from her handmade quilts and afghans, as well as mincemeat pies and cookies. She especially looked forward to her card club days, and special friends (of which she had many). Her “special angel” was daughter-in-law, Janis. She and Bill were always there in times of need and comfort.
Her family said: “We love you for your wisdom, Mom, we love you for your gentle ways. We love you for your understanding, and your kind and thoughtful ways. Our hearts will always remember all you’ve done.”
Survivors include her children, Larry, and his wife, Phyllis, Veryl and his wife, Harriet, Mary Lou, and Bill and his wife, Janis; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Jack; her son, Darwin; daughter-in-law, Barbara; and sisters, Edna and Lola.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, December 13, 2006
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor