Virginia Lane Ryan, 89, of Grantsburg, passed away on May 5, 2021, at Burnett Continuing Care Center in Grantsburg, Wisconsin.

Virginia was born on February 22, 1932, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, to Frank and Vera (Bouslough) Northrop.

Virginia married the love of her life, Charles William Ryan, on August 4, 1951, at St. Dominic's Church in Frederic, Wisconsin.

She graduated from Grantsburg High School in 1950.

Virginia worked as an LPN for over five years when her children were young. She followed her passion for sewing and needlework arts for more than five decades while owning and operating Sew Easy, a fabric store in the Grantsburg area. She did all the seamstress work, including wedding gowns and prom dresses.

Virginia was a master gardener and loved spending time outdoors. While a 4-H leader and member of Homemakers, she taught extension classes through WITC. At 55, Virginia enrolled at UW-Superior and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

She shared her knowledge of family and local history as a historical speaker at her grandkid’s schools and as the author of a historical newspaper series “Soderbeck Ferry Tales” in the Burnett County Sentinel.

As a photojournalist, she chronicled the lives and adventures of her family. Virginia made numerous trips to Alaska and the eastern states to visit her children and grandchildren. On her only trip overseas, she called her life-long, close friend, Berdella Johnson, from the top of the Eiffel tower in Paris.

Virginia was perhaps best known as an avid and dedicated fan of Grantsburg youth sports. For several decades, she rarely missed one of her many children or grandchildren's countless numbers of sporting events. Virginia was there whether they took place at the ball field in the blistering summer heat, or indoors, or at temperate venues, or the outdoor ice rink in the frigid winter cold.

In the final years of her life, Virginia was blessed to be a resident of CCC at Burnett Medical Center where she received wonderful and loving care under the direction of Carol Ahlquist.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents; loving husband, Chuck; grandchildren, Eric Ryan; son-in-law, William Hodapp; and daughter-in-law, Lynn (Peper) Ryan.

She is survived by her children, Michele Hodapp, Michael (Marilee) Ryan, Mark (Brenda) Ryan, Mitch (Sherry) Ryan, Murray Ryan, Marshall (Beth) Ryan, Matt (Maureen) Ryan; sister, Audrey (Bob) Rothmeyer; 29 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A visitation will be held Thursday, May 13, 2021, 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg, Wisconsin.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 14, 2021, at 11:00 AM (Visitation 10:00 – 11:00 AM) at New Hope Lutheran Church in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, with Pastor Emory Johnson officiating. Pallbearers will be Ryan Hodapp, Jamie Ryan, Christopher Ryan, DJ Ryan, Spencer Ryan, and Patrick Hodapp.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg, Wisconsin.

Last Update: May 09, 2021 5:31 pm CDT