Funeral services for Lu Ryan of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church. The Rev. Todd Walsh will officiate. Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery with military honors accorded by area servicemen’s organizations. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Lu passed away Saturday, June 20, 2009, at the family cabin preparing for the Father’s Day gathering.
Lu was born in Albert Lea to Clarence and Ruby (Johnson) Ryan. He attended schools in Clarks Grove and Geneva before quitting the eighth grade to help on the farm. Lu was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and a lifetime member of the Legion and the Elks. He was a sergeant in the United States Air Force in England from 1950 to 1954. When he returned, he and his brother-in-law, Gordy Blake, started Albert Lea Auto Salvage. He still kept in the auto business after that was sold, most recently at Ace Auto Sales. Lu’s interests included Nascar, the Vikings, playing poker, travel, breakfast at Perkins, attending kids activities and time spent at the cabin with family and friends.
Lu was married to Martha Clearwater. He is survived by their son, Michael (Debby) Ryan and their son Tony and daughter, Nikki (Brandon) Prihoda, and great-granddaughters Maddie and Emma; son, Dan Ryan and his daughter, Brittany; daughter, Suzanne (Steve) Andersen and their children, Christian and Gracelyn, all of Albert Lea. Lu is also survived by his wife, Faith, and her son Brent Dahl and grandchildren, Caleb, Ethan, and Anna and son Blane (Dahl) Chris of Harrogate, England. Sisters, Lola Blake of SunCity West, Ariz., Deloris (Bill) Cooper of Issaquah Wash.; brothers, Roger (Diane) Ryan of Chaska, and Betty (Ron) Mathews of Albert Lea, and a close network of cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Lu was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerry, at age 3; brother-in-law, Gordy Blake; and special buddy, Lucky.
Lu truly enjoyed his life especially family, friends, and everyone he worked with and did business with over 50 years.
His life was a gift to all who knew him. Lu made the world a better place by being here.
Blessed be his memory.