David Ryan

Madison - David H. Ryan, age 97, passed away on Thursday, April 25th 2024, at Home.

Born on November 3, 1926, in Madison, Wis, the son/daughter of Frank M. and Hattie M. (Rake) Ryan. Dave graduated from Holy Redeemer Catholic grade school and Madison West High school. A proud veteran, he enlisted in the Navy at 17, as soon as he finished high school. It was the beginning of a long life of volunteerism. He served as a navy corpsman and was honorably discharged. He married Eileen A. Chezik on October 6, 1951, in Boscobel, WI, after meeting on a blind date. They were married 59 years until her death in 2010.

He was a charter member of Our Lady Queen of Peace church since 1957, serving as an usher for most of those years. He was active in Knights of Columbus and enjoyed socializing in their golf league. He and Eileen enjoyed camping, traveling, bird watching and winter weather escapes to Gulf Shores, Alabama. He was recently honored as a 70-year member of the Sheet Metal Workers union, and worked for Home Heating and American Heating during his long career. Every Fall, Dave cherished deer hunting on nephews’ John and Ed Chitwood’s farms in Muscoda and bonding with his sons, grandson Christian and the Chitwood clan. Dave created with his hands. He designed beautiful jewelry from rocks and gems he hunted throughout the country with Eileen. He matted and framed numerous pieces of art for his family, and even taught adult students at MATC how to master the craft themselves. He collected thousands of wine corks from Madison area restaurants to create trays, trivets and coasters, and even furniture that he generously gifted to family and friends. Dave, with his friends and relatives who were in the trades, built the home where he and Eileen raised their family on the west side of Madison. His one request for end of life was that he die in this home and be “carried out with my boots on.” We honored his wish with the help of Agrace Hospice Care.

Dave is survived by his four children, Kathleen (Bill) Weber, Thomas (Cathy) Ryan, Timothy (Nicole) Ryan and Patricia (Larry) Smith; grandchildren: Patrick (Jen) Weber, Ryan Weber (Nicole Rohr), Sam (Mar) Ryan, Kendall and Erin Smith, Christian and Anna Ryan; sister: Sister Clarita Ryan; brother-in-law: Sherrill Ransom, and beloved nephews.

Preceded in death by: spouse Eileen A. Ryan, brother Robert R. Ryan, sister Dorothy Ransom, parents Frank M. and Hattie M. Ryan, Eileen’s parents John and Margaret Chezik, sister and brother-in-law Vivian and Margeurite Chitwood.

We will cherish our Dad for his kindness, humility and consideration he gave to all he encountered in his life. His years will be remembered by his belief that we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 South Owen Drive, Madison, on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 11:00am with Father Jay Poster presiding. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30am until time of Mass on Saturday. Burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace and Agrace Hospice.

A special thanks to excellent, compassionate care given to Dave and family from Calista L., RN with Agrace Hospice and SSM Doctors Alissa Weber, Mounir Fertikh and Physician Assistant Aaron Koerten. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

5701 Odana Road

608-274-1000