Ryerson, Sarah M. (1912-2012)

RYERSON, HAUGLAND, HOPE, DILLON, COUGHLIN, BULTON, WOODIN, GRIFFITHS, MATHIAS, DEREGNOIR, LARSON, TWIGG, POWERS, KOOKER, GAG, SUTTER

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/15/2012 at 09:38:31

Sarah M. Ryerson
(November 24, 1912 - February 10, 2012)

FOREST CITY - Sarah M. Ryerson, 99, of Mankato, Minnesota, formerly of Forest City, passed to her heavenly home on Friday, February 10, 2012, at Laurel's Peak Rehabilitation Center in Mankato, Minnesota.

Sarah Marie Ryerson was born March 24, 1912, in Crystal Lake, Hancock County, Iowa, to Severin and Malinda (Hope) Haugland. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith. At the age of six, she started country school. Since she knew only Norwegian, she could not speak or understand English when she started school. In third grade, she went to the Crystal Lake school, graduating from Crystal Lake High School in 1930. In high school, Sarah was active in the Methodist Church in Crystal Lake.

Sarah, then, attended Iowa State Teacher's College in Cedar Falls, where she qualified to teach country school grades first through eighth. She taught school for three years.

On October 12, 1935, Sarah married Ralph Ryerson in Galatin, Missouri. They kept their marriage a secret until Sarah finished out the school year.

Born to Sarah and Ralph were two daughters, Sharon (Dillon) and Helen (Coughlin). During this time Linda Sutter lived with Sarah and Ralph for two years and Eggo "Swede" Bulton for over five years. Swede was like a son to Sarah and Ralph.

Sarah and Ralph farmed near Thompson, Iowa, for thirty-four years. They, then, moved into Forest City. Until 1995, Sarah kept very busy giving piano lessons. She was an active member of Music Teachers of North Iowa. She was also active in 4-H as a leader and committee woman. She taught Sunday school at Linden Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church for many years. Active in the women’s groups at Linden, Bethany, and Immanuel Churches, she also served as the pianist and organist at Linden Lutheran Church as well as the Sunday school superintendent. She enjoyed music and Bible study. Sarah’s hobbies included playing the piano, reading, china painting, and gardening. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

In 1995, Sarah moved to Mankato, Minnesota. After three years living with her daughter, Helen, and her family, Sarah moved to Old Main Village where she lived for another twelve years. In October 2010, she moved to Laurels Peak. In Mankato, Sarah was an active member of the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) for many years. She also enjoyed the activities offered at Old Main Village and Laurel’s Peak.

She is survived by her daughter, Helen (JB) Coughlin, of North Mankato, Minnesota; her son-in-law, Ron (Marjorie) Dillon, of Lenexa, Kansas; her daughter-in-law, Wanda Bulton, of Early, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Ralph (Eva) Dillon, of Mundelein, Illinois, Rick (Beth) Dillon, of Lenexa, Kansas, Nancy (Dave) Woodin, of Laurens, Iowa, Patti (Jeff) Griffiths, of Okoboji, Iowa, Danny (Amy) Mathias, of Aurelia, Iowa, Jan deRegnoir, of Urbandale, Iowa, Tristen (Jennifer) Larson, of Bloomington, Minnesota, Malinda Twigg, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Alyssa Coughlin, of Mendoza, Argentina; eleven great-grandchildren, Madison (Terry) Powers, Brian Kooker, Jay Dillon, Jenna Dillon, Jeffrey Dillon, Sharon Griffiths, Jenifer Griffiths, Ashley Gag, Caroline Twigg, JJ Twigg, Elise Larson, and Harper Larson; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Haugland, of Britt; and many nieces and nephews.

Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph (1987); her daughters, Sharon Dillon (1988) and Linda Sutter (2001); a foster son, Swede Bulton (2009); her brothers, Jimmy, Eric (Edna), Carl, Grant (Lois), Stanley (June), Bjarne, Lloyd (Lydia), and Bennett Haugland; and her foster grandson, Dave deRegnoir.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, February 25, 2012, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Rev. Greg Anderson officiating. Burial will be at Crystal Township Cemetery in Crystal Lake.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. The Petersen Lund Funeral Home in Forest City is in charge of the arrangements.

Copyright © 2012, Petersen Lund Funeral Home

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