ForeverMissed
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His Life

Remebering a Special Man

December 10, 2013

     Michael LeRoy Ryan was born in Norfolk on Dec 7, 1950 to Harold & Alice Ryan.  Mike was born while his father was on a ship headed to Japan during the Korean Conflict. He was the oldest of 10 children.
     As a small child Mike lived with his family at Meadow Grove and Omaha before the family settled in Norfolk in 1960.  Mike attended Monroe Elementary School and graduated from Norfolk Sr High in May, 1969. 
   His summer vacations  - and any other time he could manage to get there - were spent on the farm with his grandparents Ray and Addie Ryan at Meadow Grove.   After graduating hgh school Mike worked for a local contractor learning so that one day he could have his own business.
   Mike enlisted in the US Army in 1970 and received basic training at Ft Leonardwood, Missouri.  After basic his assignment took him to Fairbanks, Alaska when he helped construct a bridge across the China River.  Before shipping out to Alaska,  Mike was married to Colleen Hochstein of Norfolk.  While they were stationed in Anchorage their oldest daughter Kristine was born.  Mike was then stationed at Ft Huachuca, Arizona. 
    Mike transferred to Reserve Status and returned with his family to Norfolk, where their second daughter Sheryl was born.  Mike continued to work on construction and was finally able to start his own company.
     Mike and Colleen were divorced and he later married Mary Harvel of Tilden.
They would become the parents of Jim and Jennifer.   They lived in Norfolk where he continued to run his own construction business. He worked until the loss of his eyesight forced him to retire.  Even then he would work with his son Jim to do whatever he could.
      Many people were touched by Mike and his generosity.  He always worked hard and was willing to give up his own necessities to help others when they were in need.   He is survided by his children Kris (John) Hobson, Kaitlyn & Connor, Sheryl Ryan, Cassie, Breanna, Arianna, Jim (Kim) Ryan, Hunter & Alli, and Jennifer Ryan.  He is dearly missed by everyone that knew him.