Mary Idell (Ivy) Ryan, the daughter of Rufus and Elsie Jane (Roberts) Ivy was born May 25, 1926 in Tarkio, Missouri. She graduated from Tarkio High School and attended Tarkio College for two years. She was then employed by the Farmers and Valley Bank in Tarkio.

On September 5 or 30th, 1947 she was united in marriage to Maurice F. (Posey) Ryan at St. Paul’s Catholic Church by Father Yehle in Tarkio. In 1948, they began farming in the Tarkio community. In 1956, they moved to their present home east of Tarkio where they continued to rear their family of seven children Mary was a farm wife throughout her life, working along side Posey in all aspects of the operation. She was also active in many charitable organizations, including 4-H, the Girl Scouts of America, St. Anne’s Altar Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Posey passed away on August 27, 2004. Mary passed away Monday, April 30, 2007 at the Community Hospital, Fairfax, Missouri at the age of 80 years.

Survivors include two daughters, Gail and Bruce Roorda, Craig, Missouri, Lt. Col. Maureen and Lt. Col. Paul Howard, Williamsburg, Virginia; five sons, Michael and Debora Ryan, Lenexa, Kansas, Timothy Paul Ryan, Tarkio, Lt. Col. Ret. Thomas Edward and Suzanne Ryan, Leavenworth, Kansas, John Patrick and Brenda Ryan, Mound City, Missouri, James Colin and Helen Ryan, Cincinnati, Ohio.; and seven grandchildren, Katie, Kevin and Erin Ryan, and Megan, Melissa and Will Ryan, and Ian Howard.

Besides her parents, and husband, Posey, Mary was preceded in death by sisters, Gladys Freeman and Alice Ivy; brothers, Marshall (Toad) Ivy, Harry Ivy, Don Ivy and Ralph Ivy.

Services: Mass of the Christian Burial, May 3, 2007, 10:00 am, , St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Tarkio

Burial: Home Cemetery, Tarkio
Prayer Services: Wednesday, May 2, 2007, 6:30 to 7:00 pm, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio where the family will receive friends immediately following the Prayer Service from 7:00 to 8:00 pm.
Memorials: Home Cemetery, Tarkio or St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Tarkio