McFarland - James Edward “Jim” Ryan, age 79, of McFarland, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024, at his home. He was born on September 25, 1945, in Madison, Wis., the son of Paul and Joanne (Breitenbach) Ryan.

Jim graduated from Monona Grove High School in 1963 and went on to graduate from the Milwaukee Accredited School of Beauty. On April 16, 1966, he married Patricia “Patsy” Blake at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Monona, Wis.

Jim owned and operated Ryan’s Hair Design for 57 years, a place filled with laughter and generations of friendships that went beyond the salon chair. He had a kind heart for his older clientele. He enjoyed making them look and feel beautiful along with telling them inappropriate jokes. He was by their side when their spouses passed, frequently checking in and when it was their time, he was at the funeral home making them beautiful one last time. He truly missed being able to cut hair the last several months as his health declined.

He belonged to several organizations over the years including the Elks Club, Waubesa Snowbirds, Yacht Club, TIP Club and the Optimists Club. He also contributed time and money to church, charity and elderly coalitions. In his free time, he enjoyed building everything from a pond in his backyard (while recovering from surgery), a porch made from a Pink Floyd concert stage, his daughter’s house, decks, fences and many other projects. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family and loved talking to people (he did most of the talking). It was a rare occasion he didn’t run into someone he knew or someone recognizing him, no matter which state he was in. Jim and Patsy enjoyed going out and made many trips to Puerto Vallarta. Above all else he loved his family deeply and spent every moment he could with them. His Electric personality lit up a room like no other, he will be missed by many and remembered for his smile, humor (albeit mostly inappropriate) and generosity to others.

Jim is survived by wife, Patricia “Patsy” Ryan; son, Jimmy Ryan Jr. (girlfriend KT); daughters, Kelly Ryan and Kasey (Chris) Nygaard; grandchildren, Abbey, Brianna, Dylan and Tommy Atwater and their father, David Atwater; Hannah (Sam) Lanzer, Jackson Nygaard, Paxton Nygaard and Preston Nygaard; brother, Connie (Jan) Ryan; many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Patrick Ryan, Michael Ryan, Daniel Ryan, Ted Ryan and Paul Ryan; sisters, Judith Sorenson, Nancy Peterson and Mary Ryan; brother-in-law, Richard Peterson; and his furry pal, Minnie.

A memorial service will be held at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. A celebration of life will be held at MAPLE TREE SUPPER CLUB, 6010 US Highway 51, McFarland, from 12 noon until 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024,

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jim’s name to Agrace HospiceCare or a food pantry of your choice.

The family would like to thank Agrace HospiceCare for all the great care he received and his best friend, Larry, for all the visits during these past few months. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

James Edward Ryan

September 25, 1945 - October 25, 2024

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