Edna Louise (FOLTZ) RYAN

FOLTZ, RYAN, CAMPBELL, PTRICHARD, HOPKEY, FERGUSON, MERRITT, BRENTON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/3/2009 at 03:54:13

OBITUARY - EDNA LOUISE (FOLTZ) RYAN

Edna Louise (FOLTZ) RYAN, our beloved mother and grandmother, was born on August 6, 1913 near Kellerton, Iowa and departed this life on February 23, 2009 at the age of 95 years. She was the sixth of seven children born to Jesse and Cora (CAMPBELL) FOLTZ.

Edna received her elementary education in rural schools near Kellerton, Iowa and graduated from the Kellerton High School in 1931. She attended Iowa State Teachers College and taught in rural schools for eight years in Ringgold and Decatur counties. On January 4, 1939, Edna was united in marriage to Amos Winfield RYAN and three children were born to this union: Sylvia Kay (William) PRITCHARD of West Des Moines, Iowa, Virgene Faye (Larry) HOPKEY of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and Connie Sue (Gary) FERGUSON of Baxter, Iowa. For the majority of her life, Edna lived in Ringgold County with the exception of the two years she resided in Prescott, Arizona and Estes Park, Colorado. In order to be closer to her family for the past two and a half years, she was a resident of Nevada, Iowa and West Des Moines, Iowa.

Edna was always an advocate for the well-being and education of children. She owned and operated the first preschool in Ringgold County. Later she helped organize the Head Start program in the county and became the program’s first teacher. She dearly loved the children with whom she worked and encouraged the involvement of parents in their children’s education. She never forgot to view the world through the eyes of a child.

A long-time member of the Mount Ayr United Methodist Church, Edna was active in United Methodist Women, Methodist Youth Fellowship, served on various committees within the church, and was a Sunday School pianist and teacher. At various times throughout the years, she was involved in several community activities including 4-H, Federated Women’s Club, Eldeen Club, and the Republican Party. She enjoyed volunteer work by helping with township fund drives, delivering Meals on Wheels, assisting with nursing home activities, and donating clothes, toys, and food to those less fortunate. Her hobbies included painting with oils and water colors, gardening, reading, cooking and entertaining. She had a keen sense of style when it came to both fashion and decorating. Edna had a remarkable love for her children and grandchildren. Her priority in life was showering her family with unconditional love, attention, and support. She always put her family’s needs ahead of her own.

Preceding Edna in death were her husband Amos; her parents; her sister Jennie (FOLTZ) MERRITT; her brothers, Glen, Floyd, Harold, John, and Forrest FOLTZ; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Matthew and Rocilda RYAN; and several nieces and nephews. Left to cherish her memory are her three daughters and their spouses; grandchildren, Shelley (PRITCHARD) BRENTON of Clive, Iowa, Jenny FERGUSON of Chicago, Illinois, and Ryan FERGUSON of St. Paul, Minnesota; her great-grandchildren, Will and Eliza BRENTON of Clive; and nieces and nephews.

Memorials are to the Mount Ayr Methodist Church, Hospice of Central Iowa, and Mount Ayr Schools Dollars for Scholars.

Services were held Friday, February 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m., Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home, 205 W. Monroe Street, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

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